Jogging My Memory

As I mentioned yesterday I didn’t get to see my dad today, because he’s in Springfield for a little while. I would have really liked to spend today with him and show him how much I appreciate him, but I couldn’t be there to do that.

Instead I’d like to spend a few minutes honoring him here on my blog, which I specifically told him in his Father’s Day Card to read today!

My dad and I have been close my entire life and have spent a lot of time together. 

 From business trips when I was young, to trips to the UP now, we have always been travel buddies.

When we took a trip to the UP the other week we reminisced about the different business trips I had gone on with him. My dad recalled one trip where he went for an early run one morning and left me in the hotel room.

We laughed about a business trip to California where we visited Napa Valley and Sacramento (how appropriate that I am now moving there…I see his influence in my life constantly!) On that particular trip my dad and I toured Beringer Vineyards. That was my first time going into a tasting room. My first time actually doing a wine tasting was also with my dad in December 2007, shortly after I met Tyler. We visited the Black Star Tasting Room in Traverse City and then drove to another winery on the Old Mission Peninsula called Brys Estate where we met the wine maker.

My dad has, for as long as I can legitimately remember, had a passion for health and for exercise. Although I may not have appreciated the bikes rides and hikes when I was younger, I realize now that had he not shown me the example of exercise that he did, I may never have grown to love exercise and eating healthily. I thank him for being a good example and for encouraging me to be healthy!

I don’t want to embarass my dad too much, but I want to end by thanking him. I want to thank him for ALWAYS encouraging me to pursue excellence and to aim high. I want to thank him for supporting me, not just financially, but emotionally as well. Not many dads would have been willing to go to the lengths that my dad has to make sure that I was happy, healthy, and secure! Lastly, I want to thank him for teaching me so many different things, from how to behave in the business world, to the difference between a pinot gris and pinot grigio. My dad has taught me endless lessons in life.

Lastly, the most important lesson my dad has ever taught me. In life, things won’t be perfect. When things go wrong, which they frequently will, you take responsibility for how you impacted what happened and then you make the best of the situation. And sometimes, although it may hurt, you should take a step back and look at your life and ask yourself “Is there something more I can do?”  

Thanks again dad for all those life lessons and for all the amazing memories we have created together!

 

Now for a quick recap of the day.

Tyler and I had a long and busy day. We started out with breakfast. I kept mine light because I knew we’d be eating dessert later.

Around 10:30 we packed up our bikes and drove to the campground where Tyler’s grandparents are staying for most of the summer, in Fremont, MI.

When we got there we played on his grandpa’s new toy, an electric powered bike. It was really weird to ride, because whenever you pedaled the engine would go too.

A little later we had lunch

We also had dessert

After dessert and some relaxing and chatting Tyler, his parents, his aunt and uncle and I went for a 7 mile ride around Fremont Lake.

When we got back everyone was in the mood for a snack.

Tyler and I wanted to ride more so we went and did another trail that was right by the campground. We rode about 5 or 6 more miles. Total of 13 miles, a pretty decent workout!

Shortly after we said our goodbyes and headed back home. We managed to leave with an entire flat (8 quarts) of strawberries from Tyler’s dad’s garden. They are sooooo good! When we got home we took our berries and leftover food up to the loft and then went to get our bikes, we wanted to ride a little more so we revisited the wash outs to see if any more work had been done on them. No such luck unfortunately. We did see a firetruck, because apparently just down the road from the second washout there was a fire today. Now that is unfortunate! I hope no one was hurt!

After our short ride I spent about an hour cutting up strawberries, half to eat this week and half for the freezer. You can expect to see strawberries in almost all of my meals for the next week or so!

We decided to eat some of the leftovers for dinner.

 Overall, it was a great day. It was nice to see some of Tyler’s parents, and I can’t even express how excited I am about these delicious homegrown strawberries that I’ll be nom nom nomming for the next century! I hope Tyler’s Dad had a wondeful Father’s Day and enjoyed the Cubs mug that we got him as a present back when we got engaged in December (we think ahead for gifts for him when we are in Cubs territory!).

I hope all of you had wonderful Sundays and that you remembered to say Happy Father’s Day to your dad or had the opportunity to thank any other man that has had a significant impact in your life!

Happy Father’s Day Dad!

Tags: biking, breakfast, cereal, chicken, Dad, dessert, dinner, Father's Day, garlic bread, ice cream, lunch, pork chops, raisins, snack, strawberries, strawberry pie, washouts, yogurt