5 of the Best Traits I Inherited from My Dad

Let’s face it, traditionally moms get a lot of the credit for raising kids and dads don’t get enough.  It’s a bit old-fashioned in thinking but is never more evident than holidays like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. However, dads have just as much impact on their kids’ lives and who they grow up to be. My mom and I are very similar (both in looks and personality) so comparisons between my dad and I are fewer and farther between. However, there are some important characteristics I credit to my dad that have shaped both who I am as a person and as a professional:

My Love of Sports

I’m not sure I’d be in the profession I’m in without my dad. While my mom was the athlete, my dad was the fan and taught me to love the game from a different perspective. My mom loves the sport while my dad is passionate about the game. Being a sports fan allows you to be a part of something much bigger than yourself. This seems especially true in Wisconsin where I grew up and football fans are also owners, baseball fans tailgate like no other and you’re born into fandom. It was this unique experience that I wanted to be able to share with others through my choice in career. Sports have also given my dad and I something to share and he still calls me to find out if he’s missed any of the latest Packers trade news.

My Compassion

Sometimes I think I feel things deeper than others do. When I’m hurt or sad, it cuts extra deep. This is something I definitely inherited from my dad who has a sensitive nature. It’s also something that has shaped what motivates me and drives me. I’m very passionate about the rights of other people, especially children, minorities and those with disabilities. My dad roots for the underdog and I’ve become an advocate for them. I have a strong desire to help others and make a difference in the world, something he taught me I could do and (I hope) believes that I will.

My Love of Reading

Although these days, his reading list leans more toward the local newspaper and the Packer Plus, my dad was definitely the reader in my family. I can only assume this is where I get it from as I consume books almost as fast as I consume pizza. Some of my favorite books are the ones my dad picks out for me as gifts because of the thought that went into choosing them. I also loved picking out books for my dad as gifts when I was younger. At some point, I began borrowing and reading many of his sports books which led for another thing for us to share discussions over.

My Romantic Soul

I often give my dad a hard time about watching Hallmark movies and tell him he shouldn’t admit it to other people. However, the reason he watches these is because he is a sucker for happy endings. While a lot of men try to hide this or act overly “macho”, my dad owns his sensitivity. He believes in love and wants to see others happy. He never apologizes for it and I have so much respect for that. I know that it’s okay for me to be sensitive and that it’s a positive quality, not a curse. Besides, those who feel hurt and pain most deeply also have a greater capacity to feel love. While many of the Hallmark movies are a bit too predictable to me, I do believe in love and will put my whole heart into my relationships. I cry at weddings, love a good proposal, and still believe in “the one”.

My Love of Animals

When we were younger, my sister was really good at talking my mom into bringing home animals looking to be adopted. My mom’s theory was, “Your dad will get over it.” While my mom liked the idea of pets and thought they were cute, my dad was the one who would get attached. My sister adopted a terrier named Kojack but he stayed with my dad when my sister went off to college years later. Kojack has been gone for quite some time now and my dad still calls him “my son” or “the son I never had”. I used to joke that my dad loved the dog more than us (no, I don’t always pick on my dad!), but really, he just loved him like family. I’ve always had a soft spot for our furry family members and currently share my home with a sassy little tortoiseshell kitty. I’m so thankful to have grown up with pets and to have a dad who treated them like an extension of our family.

What characteristics do you share with your dad? Do you have any hobbies or passions that you share?