Papa Golfcart

I'm sure you all know this already, but Father's Day is this weekend.  I spend lots of time on this blog bragging on my husband and what an amazing father he is (seriously, he's the best), but today I wanted to take a minute to talk about my own father.  It's no secret that I'm a total daddy's girl.  I think most girls I know are...there's just something special about that father/daughter relationship. My love for my dad makes me so excited to watch Ryan have that special bond with Mim.  He has no idea what he's in for, which makes me giddy just thinking about.

Anyway, my dad is pretty amazing.  Although an engineer by trade, he's a natural teacher.  He taught me how to clean a fish, change a tire, cook a casserole, hang a door, plant a garden and drive a tractor.  He's been my rock over the years; quick to assist anytime I needed advice, help or support, whether that was by changing the oil in my car, co-signing a student loan for law school or feeding me a home-grown meal anytime I came home.  But I have to admit that over the last two years, my love for him has moved to a whole new level.  I was not prepared for what would happen to my dad when he became a grandfather to my child and first held Mac in his arms.  

From the moment they met, these two were soulmates.  I've never really considered my dad a "baby/kid guy" - he's more serious than silly and is always busy with to do lists and taking care of all the details (now you know where I get it).  But that was not the case when Mac was around.  My dad turned into a silly kid again; cooing at the baby, walking him around the farm for hours, getting down on the floor to play with him, making funny faces and generally being an overall goofball.  It's amazing.

He'll admit he's not super comfortable holding babies, but that never stopped him.  He held Mac any and every chance he got.  I don't think Mac was set down more than a minute any time we were at the Farm.  And when Mac was in papa's arms, he was completely content and happy. 

As Mac got a bit older, my dad started coming up with all kinds of fun activities for them to do together.  Every trip to the Farm is an adventure and they always have new toys, activities, trips and surprises for us.  Sledding, hiking, tractor rides, golfing, sweeping, worm digging, garden planting, bird feeding, goat kissing, opossum chasing, fishing and farming - they've done it all.

I knew that having a child would bring so much joy and love to Ryan and I as parents, but I never realized how far and deep the love for this child would reach. I never expected to watch my father turn into putty in his little guy's hands, but it's one of the greatest things I've ever seen.  My father is a wonderful father, but I think his true calling in life is to be a grandfather.  This is where he excels.  Just watching these two play and hang out together is one of my greatest joys as a mom.

Mac and "Papa Golfcart" (as Mac affectionately calls him) are two peas in a pod.  The bond between them has grown so strong.  Mac's entire face lights up when Papa is mentioned, as does my dad's when I mention Mac.  Mac talks about his papa and the Farm almost every day.  He requests to call my dad on the phone and FaceTime him constantly.  These two can't go more than a few weeks without seeing each other.  I cannot wait to see what adventures they're going to have in the future.  Rumor has it a treehouse is being considered...

In honor of Father's Day, the toothbrush giant Oral-B is encouraging everyone to make your dad smile!  Oral-B at Target is hosting the Power Dad’s Smile Everyday Sweepstakes with over $1,000 in prizes!  

To enter, just share a photo of you and your Dad on Twitter or Instagram using #oralbsweeps between June 2 and June 15. You could win the Father’s Day Power Bundle which includes the Oral-B Black ProfessionalCare 1000 Rechargeable Toothbrush, the Braun Series 7 760 shaver and a $250 Target gift card!  What dad wouldn't love that package (although I'd probably want to keep the Target gift card for myself!).  

So share your favorite photo of you and your dad today!  And good luck! (I hope you win.)

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.