What does your father mean to you and what message would you send your Father on Father's Day?

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

My father stuck around, he paid for things, mom and him were married. But he didn't really seem to like me... he LOVED to "spank" and hit and punch (let alone the verbal tirades) for the mildest things. He broke bones multiple times, through various so called "accidents" (that weren't REALLY accidents, but he was smart enough not to leave a bruise where it could be seen...). He had a bad temper and I was this unwanted, expensive thing that took some attention from him... and some of his money, and that pissed him off royally. For most of my life, I was terrified of him. Dude gave me nightmares.

A lot of people would tell me to not badmouth him, because he PAID for things, the roof over my head, college, clothes, etc; he didn't walk out on us, which he easily could have. He didn't burn me with cigarettes, he never took a belt to me (he preferred using his hands). There were vacations. Swim classes. etc. But that didn't make him a good guy. And I also paid a little for those vacations and scouts and birthday parties and toys and Halloweens with his bullying.

He's dead, which I can say is a huge improvement on my well being. As of now, I have no desire to EVER visit his grave. I was kinder than I wanted to be toward the end, and kinder than he deserved.

There was, however, a guy we'll call "L", who kind of mentored a bunch of us young adults as he got older. While I didn't get more than 15 years, and while I felt like I missed a lot of moments, I almost see him as the closest thing I had to a REAL dad.

I'm also lucky enough to have had a few "brothers" "Uncles" or "cousins" who would do those "rites of passage" with me more than my father really wanted to be bothered. Catch with my cousin, while probably not the first time playing, meant a lot more to me and FELT like the first time. I learned to drive better and more peacefully with my sister and "Uncle" than my father ever bothered. I had another buddy who kind of mentored me a bit as an adult. First real "brotherly" Christian male role model I had. I thought that ANY of THOSE guys were more "family" (or more like a dad) than my father.

And... I... we... lost "L" about a year after my father, and that was harder than my father's death was by a long shot. He was more of a "dad" than my father. He's usually who I think of when I say "dad." - I don't know what I'd do. If he was alive, I'd probably give him a big hug, first, then just tell him what all that talking meant, or maybe just call him up... sit with him all day and talk.

[Moose304]

I lost my dad almost 30 years ago. Sadly we were never close. When Father's Day comes what I choose to do is honor my ancestry and celebrate my birth. Maybe this day is not the best time to bring this up, but about 5 years before he left us he struck my mother. I'm a trained fighter. It was only my training and the inner peace I have that kept me from going on the attack. I did tell him that was a freebie, the next time it happened he would pay full freight! To the best of my knowledge, he never put a hand on my mom again. He did later apologize to her.

[Screenwriter]

I always made gifts for my dad and sent him cards. I think he knew how much he meant to me: He taught me how to change a tire, how to tune up a car, how to drive, how to paint a house, or a room in a house, how to sand wood, how to polyurethane furniture, how to repair or renail a weatherboard, how to use insulation, how to repair a broken window, how to work on a bicycle: tire changing, fixing a tire chain. How to mow a lawn, work on a lawnmower. Minor plumbing and electrical work. How to grow tomatoes. How to duck hunt, fish. How to read a map.

Daddy taught me how to navigate in the world, how to tell a dirty joke, the value of a good sense of humor, ethics. To be on time, early to work. To do what's expected of you on a job and more if possible.

To defend myself physically as well as emotionally. Be prepared and be cautious. To park a car well. To avoid conflict if at all possible, but to not shrink from it when necessary.

He helped make me and my brother competent adults. There is no value you can place on the gifts he gave us through what he taught us.

[Anonymous]

My father means everything to me. My mother left us when I was 7 and my father raised my younger brother and me since then. He has been the best dad ever. I know he has sacrificed a lot and he has taught us so much. He coached my softball team and my brother's baseball team. He never missed a single game. He taught me how to navigate life as a teenager, and how to take care of myself with boys. He helped pay for my college and is helping James too, but he also made sure we worked through college in jobs that would help us get real life experiences nd teach us important lessons. He helped me see some of my boyfriends were not good choices for me, but he supported my fiancé even when I didn't see what a good guy he is and didn't want to listen to him. He helped my brother through a very difficult time when he got in legal trouble with some friends and he handled that better than I think most parents would have. I just feel like he is a really good dad and I'm blessed to have him. I made him lasagna for dinner today which is his favorite.

[sunflower00]

My dad means the world to me! He’s not perfect but no one is. He has taught me so much in life and has always wanted the best for me. He puts his kids first and is so kind and patient, he’s also really really funny! He really values family so we spend time together when we can. He is so loyal.


I am so grateful that he has been the best dad to me and my sister, and now to my two little brothers. He was about 22/23 when I was born and I was quite clearly an accident but he said he always wanted to be a dad and he stuck around, was always there for me and even when my parents split up when I was 11 I split my time equally between them and they got on for us. So thanks dad I love you!

[sunflower00]

He also introduced me to margaritas so thanks for that too dad 🍸

[MemeSupreme]

oh boy, i've been seeing a lot of these questions lately. feel like im in therapy almost lmao

my father is someone i cannot miss nor care about without getting hurt. he was never abusive like my step-dad thankfully, but he was neglectful, not trust worthy, and put me in a lot of situations a kid shouldn't be in. i have a lot of anger towards him yet still try to empathize for him. he's had a hard life too so i get why he's an addict

didn't mean to trauma dump lol but i wanted to give context. if he were sober and would actually read the letter... i would tell him that i get why he is the way and i appreciate the few good moments we had. he should've just done better by me and himself. that i would let him try to fill that void he's left in me in a heartbeat if he'd at least fight for it

anyway, enough of trauma dumping on you all lol I've spent enough time typing all this out

[midnightmoon05]

My belated father was a good hearted man who grew up in a time of hardship. He never gave up on us. He worked very hard and provided a good life for us. He had a very very caring heart and wanted the best for us 4 kids.
he was angry from how he was raised, he had trust issues. But we all understand.
we are all very fortunate to have had him as our dad. He passed last year at 80. We were all in his furnernal. He left 4 kids, 8 grand kids. There were about 30-40 friends and family members.

[Jess_D]

My father means everything to me. He has always been a provider, a protector and a role model. He’s shown me how a man should act, how he should treat other people and how he should carry himself. He’s always been there for me and I love him more than anyone. That’s my message to him.

[Pinay_ako]

My father is my best friend. I just called him and told him when I am reborn, I will want him to be my father forever and ever and I will not change a thing because he’s perfect to me. And any daughter will be so blessed to have him as their dad. That’s how much I love and respect my father.

[DizzyDesii]

I have nothing against the guy. I’ve just never cared to get to know him despite his efforts. My mom always pushed me to be closer with him since I was like age 5+ but I just stay dodging the man. I probably actually allow him to see me once every few years. Something about his presence just irks me. My mom always asks me to send him a card or text for Father’s day but i probably only gave in twice in life. In general, I thank the man for helping create me. That is all

[manthan_5545]

Any reason? @DizzyDesii

[DizzyDesii]

@manthan_5545 Nope no reason which people find hard to believe. I just see it as, if you don’t live with me, you’re not my real family. He lived with me until i was like age 3 but even then, i see videos of us and i kept ignoring him despite my mom saying to say hi to daddy as well”

[manthan_5545]

Oh sorry if I've hurt... i thought there'd too insane past scene @DizzyDesii

[DizzyDesii]

@manthan_5545 nope no reason

[_no_one_]

He has ego a lot of it but i know he loves me and always worries about me a lot. Even tho out ideologies dont match and our outlook ok life is very different i respect him. Everyone has flaws but then again he's my dad and i love him and accept his flaws.

[coachTanthony]

He recently just passed away a few weeks ago so I am just glad I had the time I did with him.

[LostandFound__x]

My father is my absolute world. Personality wise, I take a lot after him. And I feel like for this reason we have a very special bond. He was always there for me and he is truly my best friend. I try my best to make him feel special on Father’s Day.

[Anonymous]

My relationship with my dad is…complicated. I mean, I love him, but there have been instances in which he has been condescending towards me. For example, I’ve never been good at math. Let’s just say I cried a lot when my dad would help me with my math homework. He was very impatient with me and would insult my intelligence. It took me a long time to forgive him for that.

[KateDemee]

I actually don't know my biological father unfortunately so I have some harsh feelings about it but also wish it was different in some ways but can't change things. Could be worse

[Paris13]

My Deceased Dad Meant so Much to me and I still Refer Him to "Father of the Year" and "My Hero."xxoo

[OfMiceandMen]

He means a lot to me. He taught me values and to treat people fairly. He taught me hard work is part of life, and every animal work's hard to survive.

[AaronKrieger]

He is someone I look up to very much and I appreciate everything he has done for my family. I've already written my card for him and it mentions that along with other stuff.

[Potteplante]

Father days has passed for me & honestly nothing.

My father is a stranger I talk to twice a year - and see every 5ish years. It's a miracle that I'm seeing him twice within one year now

[exitseven]

My father has been dead for a few years. He was a WW2 vet and a good provider. He was not perfect but I think he was one of the heroes of this country. He was a good role model although I look at some of what he did and I did the opposite.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

My father means the world to me. He’s the best dad I could dream about. I am a lucky girl to have him.

[savagewolf22]

Aww you're truly amazing ❤️
You're your father proud..🙏

[sheenagwapa]

i thought i was not raised properly because of the lack of guidance of a mother ( she has to work abroad) but i was wrong. thank yoy to my father for raising decent human beings for raising us

[nastyb]

i don't love my father. he was an asshole. he did so much shit to me that it would take me weeks to type it all up on here. better to just not write it all out.

[jennifer_bloom]

My dad does a lot to help me but he disrespects me more often then he blesses me so I'm not all warm and fuzzy about him inside.