So here is the post for my Dad. I call him Daddy. Folks laughed in high school because I know my brother tended to say "Diddy" (pronounced kind of like Did He).
Poor man was blessed with a lone son and 3 daughters. Im sure he is proud that after Momma died and he married Barbara he got to pick up another son- Jay. At least there are 3 men now. As you can imagine- with Momma and the 3 of us girls there were a lot of hormones. And drama. Oh the drama. It was overwhelming. But thankfully Dad had his projects in the garage to escape. And somehow there is still a lot of girliness. I can't find the picture with Dad with the tutu on his head…so this will have to suffice.
And I know that I have mentioned that Daddy pretty much can fix anything. I am supremely bummed to find out that at times he cannot and a broken object will have to be replaced. As in "oh man. i gotta go buy another one!?" But I guarantee you if he does fix it, it will be fixed RIGHT. I am cursed/blessed with his work ethic- do it right or don't do it. everytime. He once spent 7 hrs hanging a bathroom door- all I needed was for it to shut all the way…
And the man has more patience than baskin robbins has ice cream. I know he is made when he makes a face or gets this look and is super quiet. Never heard him cuss. Ever. Barry said he heard him say something ONE time and he got super scared. Dad's word usually is "Jerk." Whether talking to a screw that won't come loose or some non rule obeying driver on the road.
I took him to dinner last night- Cracker Barrel. (His choice- he's a cheap date). And he helped me finish moving my LAST things out of storage. No more storage fees! I am free of that. Yes. He is ever willing to help me in a jam. Whether when i have a flat, needed help at my house, or have done something ridiculous and gotten myself in a situation. Ever my knight in shining armor. (or maybe it's a little glare off the top of his slowly receding hairline). Either way. Love him.
Oh and he is funny. I know i have mentioned his ability to tell a joke, a story. I can't. compared to him I am such a rookie. And the Green Bean Club…. yep. Him. Here's a picture of him scoping out the corner to run to base playing Hide n Seek with the kids Easter weekend…
He's a giver. He got a few of his car buddies to come up to Arbor Springs for the guy resident's car show. He has given up time to help friend and stranger move, get their tires fixed, repair homes, and countless other things. Very rarely have I heard him tell someone no to a request to help them. For that i am grateful.
I know if I said "He's the best Dad in the world" you would probably want to argue. Well, you would lose. Cuz us Longest women have a way of getting our way and being supremely stubborn. He may frustrate me some days with his ability to quiz me, think for a minute or two, ask another question, wait….all because i wanted his opinion on something. But I love him. So much that i couldn't pick one birthday card. And little does he know the other one i picked is in the mail, just as a surprise.
So, Terry James Longest… I love you. More than I love cheese. More than I love wearing jeans instead of skirts. More than Michael Scott loved the Dundie Awards. I am forever your #1. And you know you are mine.
Happy Birthday.
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