I have a lot of great memories of my dad, but for this one I would like to comment about my boyfriend. He is a single dad and just that sets him apart from other guys. He has raised his kids alone since they were 2-3 years old and now they are teenagers. Well adjusted, they mind their manners, are really good looking, are good students. Of course they live in their teen world and can be difficult at times, but their dad just knows how to speak to them, treats them with respect, doesn’t fight with them and gets them to spend whole weekends the four of us, kayaking, going to picnics, skiing or just hanging out at the beach. Even though they can drive each other crazy, I love to see how Rob loves his children very, very much. And I love that he stepped to the plate and has done a great job with the two youngsters.

I do not remember living with my Father and had a very sketchy start to our relationship but in recent years I have come to know him better and we now have a comfortably casual friendship.

I’m writing a note about my grandpa, my dad passed away a long time ago, and Grandpa stepped in to help us out, we like to celebrate him on Father’s day. My favourite memory will always be when my grandpa was barbecuing kebabs out on his balcony. I was keeping him company and watching, when a seagull perched itself on the ledge and my grandpa just shouts out “Hey, Mustafa!” I thought it was the Arabic term for seagulls for a very long time, and only found out much later in life that that was just my grandpa’s pet name for seagulls because he liked them so much. My Grandfather mans the helm, between my grandma, four daughters of his own, and two father-less granddaughters the dear man has his hands full. All the estrogen can’t be easy to work with

I remember going fishing with my dad as a kid. So much fun!

My parents met because my dad was reviewing a show that my mother was in the chorus of. They fell in love, got married and most of my childhood and early twenties were spend accompaning him (she died after 25 years of marriage) to check out different restaurants.

My dad used to write restaurants for the Vancouver Sun. One of my favourite things to do is visit restaurants in town where his columns are still up. He called my mother his “companion” in his weekly column. It warms my heart to see how many moments of my youth are still posted up for me to see whenever we go to certain restaurants. A few years ago I did learn to cook a few dishes when my father fell ill. I felt like he was in his personal kind of hell – a former food critic eating food prepared by a daughter completely unskilled in the cullinary arts. It would be wonderful to take him out for dinner and to see a show.

I remember my Dad always working really hard when we were growing up. He didn’t have a chance to travel or get away so it will be nice for him to finally go for a nice visit to see his elderly sisters in Toronto this summer.

He has not seen them in over 15 years and they are now in their 70s and 80s.

It was 8 years ago today that I lost my dad and memories have been coming fast and furious lately. My husband and I are raising our kids in the house I grew up in (totally remodelled now, with a suite for my mom) and I’m in charge of the lawn care. Being out there mowing every week brings me right back to my childhood and watching my dad going back and forth, back and forth, aiming for a lawn the neighbourhood would admire. He would love that it’s now one of my passions, and I’m happy to say it’s looking FANTASTIC!

One of my favourite memories of my dad is when he would bring home the fish he had caught and I would always get to poke the eyes out. I don’t know why as a young girl I wanted to do that, I certainly have no desire to do that now, but the 7 year in old in me enjoyed it.

My favourite memory of my dad is when I was really sick with Strep a number of years ago he called me every day to check in. The call lasted less than 2 minutes but it was his way of telling me how much he cared about me.

My older brother and I didn’t grow up together as he lived with his father. He visited us when I was growing up though. When he was around 8 it was decided he would come live with us. I was ecstatic as I could be at my age. I was going to have a new playmate. He showed up and he was apprehensive. I at the time didn’t understand why (now obviously I do, new town, new family, new place and school, who wouldn’t be?) but my father did. We went out shopping and he was a bit shy so my father picked him up on his shoulders and told him he could get anything he wanted. At the time I thought “NEW TOYS YAY!” Now I am just so proud of my father for trying to make it easier for him. To make him feel wanted and accepted in this new environment. <3

My favorite memory of my dad was when he would bring me warm homemade lunches during elementary school. This occurred on a regular basis and even the teachers were impressed by my dad’s devotion.

My dad and I don’t often get to spend much time together but recently we went to see a sledge hockey match when the Olympics were in town and out for lunch following.
It was a pretty simple day, but just getting to spend time chatting one on one was really wonderful and special. We’re definitely going to be making time for more father/daughter activities in the future!

My dad loved art as a hobby. He was excellent at drawing and often he did art demonstrations at my school. The best part was when my classmates would make requests to him and he would draw out whatever they wanted. Each kid was happy to go home with a custom art piece!

UPDATE – Winner has been drawn – congratulations Gillian!