My DAD and I always have some kind of saying that we use. When I was little, it was “Happy Birthday To You!” right before he would wake me up by pulling the blankets completely off me. When ever I would act up, or complain about something, my dad would say “Stop being a guppy”. When ever we would joke around, we would use a famous line from the Three Stooges, “HEY MO”. There is one though that sticks out in my mind over all the rest.

My dad use to play softball, water ski and hike through the mountains cutting tree’s for firewood. When ever he would do something impressive I would ask him “How did you do that?” His reply would always be the same. “I’m fifteen thousand cheeseburgers ahead of you.” He got this line from a movie called DUTCH. It’s one of our favorite movies through out the years. It basically means that he is older, more experienced, and well seasoned like a steak. I’ve always had a father who dropped everything to move the world for me. From building cars, to building bike jumps, to repairing bike tires, to showing up to every non important sporting event. But that doesn’t sum up why I have an amazing father.

One year, during the winter in Reno, there was a crazy snow storm. I had this 85′ MR2 that was horrible in the snow. Worse off, the girl I was dating had a old grandma car that sucked even more in the snow. Well, my parents came down and followed us home. Driving over a bridge, we spin out on a bridge. With out thinking about it, my dad moves his truck in front of all oncoming traffic. That’s what having a father is all about. That’s why I have an amazing dad.

If my dad is fifteen thousand cheeseburgers ahead of me in life, then my grandfathers is a million cheeseburgers ahead of me in life. All three of my grandfathers are amazing, first off. My grandpa Dick was always in my life. From sporting events, to Hot August Nights. He was always there for support. A few moments that stick out in my life mean a lot to me. One year, during Hot August Nights, my grandfather had this amazing Mercury. It was pretty clean. We are cruising down Victorian Ave and this kid yells “Light Them Up!” My grandpa put the car into “high performance mode” and revs the car up. he pushes the driving mode button and the wheels chirp a bit. He looks at the kid and says “That’s a poor mans muscle car.” Man that guy had a sense of humor.

Another moment in my life that makes me laugh takes place at one of my high school hockey games. We were playing Wooster High, and the goaltender gets injured. From the top balcony, my grandfather yells “Take him off. Bring in another one.” My mom covers his mouth and apologizes. My grandfather has this huge smile on his face. He always made himself laugh. Just like my dad and I, my grandfather always had a saying. Anytime I would leave the house, or leave his presence, he would say “Don’t do anythign I wouldn’t do. And if you do, don’t name it after me.” I still say this today.

I’ve always had some amazing fathers in my life. From all of my friends fathers to Uncles who were fathers. I am very lucky to have known them all.