It’s my dear Daddy-O’s 70th birthday today!!!! He’s the patriarch of this crazy crew we call the O family and we couldn’t love him more.
To be honest, I am so thankful and so lucky that my dad is MY dad.
He traveled a lot when I was little and I remember Mother taking us to the airport to bid him farewells. He would always book a window seat on the side of the plane facing the windows and move his shade up and down as they taxied away. I also remember thinking to myself, I hope he makes it back home. He always did. <3
When Mother traveled for work (always for work, never for fun), Daddy-O was the MOST fun! We got to go out to the diner for breakfast and McDonald’s for dinner. He taught us to make spit balls and other unsavory things that fascinated two girly girls.
In my tweens and teens walking the Oglethorpe Mall all day every weekend day was the thing to do. Mother, Sister and I were shopping pros. Daddy-O never took up golf or sports in his free time. Instead, he drove us to the mall and sat with all of our stuff on a bench. As we moved down the mall, he moved down a bench.
As I got older, he cornered me in the dining room one day and told me that I could always call him for anything, no matter the time of the day or night. He said he would come get me in ANY situation with no questions asked. I’m sure I rolled my eyes and scampered away as quickly as possible, but the first time I went out on my own with friends I was so thankful for that. I remember feeling safe and loved knowing that he’d always hold up his end of the deal.
When I started driving he made me learn on his manual pick up truck. That might have been the most trying time in our father-daughter relationship. :-) He wanted to know that I would be able to drive myself home from any place in any car no matter what. I got that train of thought as I got older.
Speaking of driving, he also installed a suitcase sized cell phone in my first car. It was ONLY for dire emergencies. LOL. He also gave me a grid of streets in Savannah that I was never to drive beyond no matter what. As a teen I just followed his rules for fear of not following his rules. As an adult, I totally see why he didn’t want me driving around in those areas.
When it was time to come to Georgia Tech, he was right there. I’ve shared this before, but I think it was one of the most memorable comments of my life. As he left me on the stoop of my freshman dorm he directed my attention to the Coca-Cola headquarters on North Avenue and said “maybe if you work really hard the next four years you could get a job right across the street!” The proudest day of my life up to that point was phoning home four years later to tell him I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!
He visited me frequently at Tech and my favorite memories of those visits were our dinners at the Pleasant Peasant and Houston’s. He always sent me home with an entire extra meal for later. On one visit he took me shopping for a formal dress and it was the most fabulous formal dress I ever wore!
As we stood in front of the grand doors of the Cathedral on my wedding day, arm in arm, he gave me one last no-questions asked offer. The wedding was paid for and the guests were seated and the orchestra was playing. He said if anything in me didn’t want to marry Honey that we would turn around and walk right out the other door. You can’t imagine the look of relief on his face when I assured him that I wanted to marry him more than anything. :-)
Speaking of Honey, my own dad took him under his wing when he suddenly lost his own father nine years ago last month. This means the world to me. They drink beer, watch ball games, talk sports and sometimes annoy each other – just like real dads and sons.
These are just a few of many, many Daddy-O stories, but they are my favorites. He’s been a fixture in my life for my entire life. I wouldn’t be me without my dad. Happy 70th Birthday!!!!
DIXIE DELIGHTS DELIVERED
[madmimi id=246857]
This post was so sweet! Happy 70th Birthday to your daddy!
What a beautiful birthday tribute to a man who clearly means the world to you. Happy 70th Birthday Daddy-O!
Happy Birthday, Daddy O! My own dad taught me to drive on a stick shift too. ? May you be blessed with continued good health and happiness and your treasured Zip-Locks always be filled with joyful wishes. ? What a beautiful life you and Mrs. O have made for your family. God bless you all.
Dear Jane, thank you for your kind remarks. Yes, he does love zip-locks.. He has a whole shelf in the garage dedicated to his multiple boxes of all sizes. We never have to worry about needing one! Oh, also plastic garbage bags of varying sizes! You are a sweetie, maybe one day we will meet in person!
Best, D
Thank you, “Marme”! I love hearing about the trash bags ? (but am afraid it will now lead me to a new obsession!) No kidding, if I run out of zip-locks, Daddy-O comes to my mind! ☺️ I look forward to meeting you, as well. It would be a joy!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SWEET DADDY-O
MAY YOU ENJOY THE BIG SEVEN-OH!
BE IT ON THE HIGH SEAS
OR SIPPIN’ TEA IN TYBEE
YOU MAKE THE WORLD SHINE
WITH YOUR SMILE AGLOW
SO HATS OFF TO YOU
WE HOPE YOUR NEW YEAR IS BRIGHT
WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND
AN OLD SCOTCH ON ICE
EVEN THOUGH WE DON’T KNOW YOU
WE FEEL LIKE WE DO
SO CHEERS TO YOU, SIR
MAY YOUR WISHES COME TRUE!
Jane, I love this so much! Thank you for always being so thoughtful. I too hope our paths cross one day! Amanda
Thank you, Amanda. ❤️ I’m going to make that trip and can’t wait! Have a wonderful weekend! Dixie Delights is just too fun!
What a wonderful tribute to your Dad! May he have the happiest of birthdays! He is one lucky man!
Cheers!
Shelley
Happy Birthday, dear Daddy-O!
Such a beautiful post to honor such a special man….I am sure he is also a tremendous influence on your boys too!! Enjoy celebrating the great man that he is!
Happy Birthday to your most wonderful dad!
well this moved me to tears. there’s nothing in the world like a good dad. happiest birthday to yours! <3
Happy Birthday Daddy O!
Beautiful tribute today to your dad.
I am older than you, but it was insisted that I learn to drive a stick shift too- and low and behold my two daughters had to learn too.. I loved your stories and we have some so similiar in our family–my dear sweet husband and the father of my two daughters turned 70 years old on June-16, 2018 -I am so sure these two men could share some stories of The Life and Adventures of Living with Three Women( a good book title)–I truly believe God selects only the most special of men to travel that road!! Happy Birthday Dadd-O–1948 was a wonderful year!!!!
So, so sweet! Happy birthday to Daddy-O!
This was such a pleasure to read. How very blessed you are to have such a wonderful dad. And I only “know” you through your blog but I can tell that he’s very blessed to have you, too. Hope he had a great birthday!
What a beautiful write up on your Dad. He is a truly special parent. Enjoy your time with him.
happy birthday to your sweet dad. i loved each line of this post. i think your dad and mine went to the same class of raising daughters 101. ♥
I always enjoy reading the posts about Daddy-O; your love and admiration shine right through! I lost my own daddy when he was just shy of 80-it will be two years ago this September. Treasure these moments!
Happy birthday to Daddy-O!! I had a wonderful Daddy he left us suddenly after a short illness….that’s been 24 years this November and I still miss him every day. Cherish the moments Amanda….hug him, visit with him and sit on his lap as often as you can….it will never be enough. ????
What a loving post. Your dad sounds like he had his priorities right. Such thoughtful things – always booking a window seat (back when the gates were open to ticketless – those were the days)
Happy for your family
Happy Birthday Daddy-O, such a sweet birthday post!!
This brought tears to my eyes! How lucky you are to have such a loving father! Happy birthday to your dad!