Every father is different. Some are warm and inviting, always with a ready smile and a corny joke, and yet some look tough on the outside and unapproachable. But there’s one thing they all have in common: their love for their family.
There are fathers who are comfortable in expressing how they love their family through words and through actions, but more commonly, there are fathers who don’t exactly communicate their affection in so many words, but rather make up for it in actions.
He’s willing to pick you up anytime, anywhere
Unlike your unreliable ex and your flaky current boyfriend, your dad will always be more than willing to go wherever you are and drive you home. Traffic? A sudden downpour? Call him up and he will always be there. He might act disappointed (especially when you pull this stunt in the middle of the night) but it actually eases his mind knowing that you’re safe with him.
He’s picky at who you date
So you’ve finally discovered the rosy world of dating and instantly your parents, especially your dad, become the antagonist of your love life. The truth is, Filipino parents will always be picky with who their children date. For them, there will never be a person worthy of their precious son/daughter. This world is cruel, and humans dabbling with emotions at a young age are even more so, your dad wants to protect you from heartbreak while he still can.
He takes the family out to dinner and dates
When the children are all grown up and in worlds of their own, gathering every member of the family for dinner gets difficult. But this is all the more reason to organize a family day every so often. When you’re out having dinner with your father whether it’s just the two of you or the entire family, he will insist on paying because even after all these years and paychecks of your own, you’re still his little kids and he will still take care of you. Of course you should try and pay him back with, say, a bottle of his favorite wine?
He brags about his kids to his friends
He might not have a Facebook account to post your graduation photo with, but he brags about you in ways no social media could compete with. His co-workers know who you are even before you met them. Your dad often tells them all your crazy antics that amuse him, and when you reach a milestone, he isn’t the only person rejoicing, even his friends and co-workers are!
He works hard to provide for the family
Day in, day out, our dads work hard to make sure we get three square meals a day and even experience simple luxuries in life. They toil to make sure we get proper education; they send us to schools and universities for almost 2 decades and they do all this without complaining! That’s how much they love us.
Even when you don’t ask him, he helps you out when you’re in trouble
Sometimes, you don’t even have to say you need his help. Tough time finding a job? He’s there to support you financially until you can make it on your own and he won’t even ask for anything in return. There’s a problem with your car? He’ll come over during the weekend to help you fix it. He’s always there to offer advice and tell you what to do. A solid support both in times of gladness and defeat, that’s what our dads are.
He gives you a hug (or a pat on the back) when you need it the most
There are times in our life when we don’t really need words to express how we feel. Dads are psychic; they know when to give us a big warm hug or a pat on the back. This simple gesture is them letting us know that whatever happens, however bad things are at adulting, they have our backs – always.
He’s there for every important event in your life
The ultimate way fathers show their love for us is that they spend time with us. Growing up, they were our first playmates, they were the ones we run to when mom didn’t allow us to do something we wanted, and they taught us what it’s like to laugh (and tell corny jokes).
The sad truth in our time is that not all fathers are present for their family, it could be because they have to work so far away or they have other reasons of their own. If your dad has been with you for every birthday, every firework, graduation, illness, or causes for celebration and sorrow, that’s one of the subtle ways he shows his love for you.
Our dads are a huge part of our lives, we literally would not be here without them. This coming Father’s Day make sure you tell them how much you love them. Not everyone is blessed with a father, cherish yours while you still can.
Happy Father’s Day Papa, Tatay, Dad!
