"You're behind the power-curve."

"Let's press on." This one was said on road trips when I had to pee but he kept driving.

"Love you more."

"I'm so proud of you..."

These are some of the phrases I heard growing up, from a dad who chose to raise me. What was he thinking taking me on voluntarily? I guess I was a cute kid.

He's a dad who made me camp, go to Disneyland and and go wood chopping. He also watched KungFu and John Wayne westerns on Saturdays with no regard for what I'd rather be watching.

He funded my violin, voice, dance and piano lessons and finally told me to settle down and focus on "one" thing for awhile. Unfortunately at the time that "one interest" was acting and focus, I did!

He also encouraged finishing college and having a "back-up" career plan. Well he may have been on to something with that advice:) He gave so much and worked so hard to take care of us, and I'm so grateful!

His job required him to work some holidays to keep people safe, as a police officer and later he saved lives as a paramedic propelling out of helicopters to pull people out of rushing bodies of water and stuff. So, he set the bar pretty high for what a dad "should" be.

And then one day when I was a grown up, I met someone that kind of reminded me of him. He was loyal and kind and liked to fix things for me. But he had no interest in John Wayne movies, so there were differences.

I didn't realize at the time that I'd be making him into a "Dad" one day. I guess it was really our son who did that. My husband has become a dad that our kiddo looks up to, does projects with, plants gardens with and watches Superhero cartoons with.

I'm lucky to have these two dads in my life. They both continue to lift heavy things for me and subject me to t.v. shows that I don't enjoy. But my heart is warm with gratitude to get to love them both.

Happy Father's Day!