To My Faja

To My Faja 

People say that the first guy you ever truly love is your dad, and for me, that is unbelievably accurate. My favorite person in the entire world signs his cards Love Dad, answers to text messages that say I love you with 2, lightly pats me on the back while laughing when I pull him into big bear hugs, teases me always, makes me watch Drumline every time it’s on, snores so loud I can hear him from my room down the hallway, falls asleep on the couch by 7 pm, wakes me up at 8 am on the weekends, and just so happens to be one of the people I love most in life. 

When I was younger, I always thought that my dad looked like Shrek, I couldn't tell you exactly why my little kid brain related my dad to a green ogre that lived in a swamp. I think maybe it was the fact that their hands looked similar, they were both tall, had no hair, and that they referred to themselves as onions with layers. I never really understand what my dad meant by his layers until I was a little older when I realized that he has so many different sides to him. Like he races off-road, sport fishes, goes hunting, can build an entire house,operate heavy machinery, change a tire, but at the same time can cook the most amazing food, loves to bake, can sew Halloween costumes, design the interior of a house, and has the best taste in almost everything. There are only a few things on this planet that my dad isn't good at, and one of which is making calzones.

 I have always loved all of my dad's "layers" and when I was little if you asked me who I looked up to most in life, I would answer my dad. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be just like him, and not much has changed as I've grown up. I still answer my dad when people ask me who I look up to most, and I always think of dad when I see Shrek. The thought of making him and my mom proud is what gives me the motivation to live my life the way that I do. I am nowhere close to perfect, and I think I drive my dad nuts half of the time, but I know that at the end of the day he'll be there for me no matter what, cheering me on.  He has not only made me a stronger person but has taught me so many life lessons. Three of which are: 

• “No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you are progressing you’re still ahead of everyone that isn’t trying!”
• "Your word is your word"
• And as my Faja would say, "Strong like bull, dumb like ox."

So Faja,  

I love you to the moon and back, 

Kayts, Boo Boo Bear, Ltlplmr

"NO! Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers... You get it? We both have layers." -Shrek

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