I tried to surprise my dad with a heartfelt message for Father's Day, starting with, "Dad, I'm feeling so grateful...".

Before I could finish, he smiled and said, "Hi Grateful, I'm Dad!"

My dad's most consistent Sunday afternoon activity was falling asleep in his favorite recliner, often with a newspaper draped over his face.

I used to think he was just catching some Z's, but looking back, it was his quiet way of always being present, anchoring our home. He was our rock, even when he was napping.

My dad's ideal Father's Day gift isn't a new gadget or a fancy meal.

It's finding an unlabeled can of paint in the garage that *might* be the perfect match for the trim he painted seven years ago.

I asked my dad what his perfect Father's Day morning would be

and he said 'waking up to a quiet house, a full tank of gas in the lawn mower, and no one asking me to fix anything'