A Better Late than Never Happy Fathers Day

I hope you had a great day yesterday celebrating the fathers in your life, and if you are a father yourself, I hope you had a wonderful day being celebrated ❤️

On mother’s day I shared a little bit about my mom and my perspectives on motherhood. Its only appropriate I do the same for Father’s day. Again, I come from a perspective where I am lucky enough to have both my parents with me and also have a great relationship with them. I am grateful for this and understand this is not the case for everyone. 

I grew up in a more traditional set-up, where my mom stayed home to take care of us while my dad worked. Despite having long work days when my dad got home he still made time to be “the fun one.” ( I can imagine a lot of the moms reading this are rolling their eyes, because it seems like Dads get that title easily. )

He is a total girl dad. My sister, my mom and I have had him wrapped around our fingers since day one. The poor guy doesn’t stand a chance. 🤭 But, don’t get me wrong, between the choreographed dances, barrettes in his hair, and daddy daughter date nights, we still had to earn our keep. We weren’t spoiled and didn’t get everything handed to us. While he showed up for the fun, he still made sure we knew the value of quality effort, staying consistent, and honoring your word in as many life lessons he could. There never was, and still never is, a shortage of lessons…

We have anything from how things work, to practical applications on how the easy way out is actually the hard way. You know, Dad stuff.

( P.S. Tell me why moms are always right but when they try to tell you something you have to “prove them wrong” first, but when dads tell you something you take it as bible? Is that a universal thing or just me?)

All along, despite the many, many- many, “life lesson” speeches, and dissertations on how magnets work, one of the most important things my dad has taught me he was teaching me through his actions. One of the most important things you can do is

Show up.

You show up for the people you love.

You show up for the things that you want. 

You show up for yourself. 

You show up for your word.

It’s not always easy, or comfortable, of the most exciting thing you could think of to do. But showing up matters. The person you want to be, the people you want to have in your life, the things that you want to accomplish are 100% on you. It is your complete responsibility, and you are the only one that can make it happen.

“You’re not born a winner. You’re not born a loser. You’re a chooser… “

I’ve heard this one countless times growing up (still do.) 100% I thought my dad made it up until I asked him yesterday and it is indeed a quote he uses from someone else. 😂

In the same way as my mom, as I get older, my relationship with my dad changes, and my perspective of him evolves. His lessons and dissreratiotions are still present but often have turned into relatable stories and discussions on how he has dealt with life things and how I can take his insight into my life now. More often than not, I am seeking out the lessons and there’s a lot less eye rolling from me when it comes to his dissertations and a lot more eye rolling from him when it comes to mine. ( I’m 100% my father’s daughter and the older I get the more he feels it 😉.)

The impact of him showing up to build a relationship with me and my sister, to relate to us in any way he can, has had an immeasurable impact on the women we are today and the how we value ourselves. I know that required extreme dedication and consistency from my dad. To not only build a line of open communication and trust, but to learn how to connect with his girls over  dance costume fashion shows, the hottest boy band right now, the newest Mary Kate and Ashley movie and the devastation of high school break ups. I am so so grateful for his commitment to building our relationship.

Being a parent requires sacrifice and dedication from both sides. What I’ve come to appreciate most as I’ve gotten older, is how much intention it takes to not only keep showing up for your kids, but to show up for yourself. So, to all of our Fit Fam dads, grandpas, father figures and everything in between, 

Happy Father’s Day! 

Your dedication to showing up for your health is a true reflection of the desire you feel to show up for your kiddos. ❤️