The 589th reason why I am single is because of my dad. Not because he is some big scary man who runs guys off. In fact, in all my years of dating, he only flipped one guy upside down and threatened his life. And that was in 8th grade. And he only ever employed his posse of hardened Teamsters once or twice in an attempt to intimidate potential suitors.
The actual reason my single status is all his fault is because he spoils me rotten. There is no way any man could ever do more for me then my dad. When I was in college and broke, he would send me care packages containing contraband cases of beer he hid in the trunk from my mother. The reason for the beer was twofold; one, I could save money by not having to buy it and two, I could make money by selling it to the drunk kids who knocked on my door at 4 am because they had run out.
I have this quirk about airports since I am in one once a month. I always get sad upon returning home as my arrival is anticlimatic. I get off the plane, get my luggage, catch a shuttle to my car and drive home to an empty house. It is fairly depressing. I am always jealous of those people who have family and friends waiting for them with flowers or balloons just to let them know how much they have been missed.
After dating someone for six years who never once came to pick me up at the airport, I got a little bitter about the whole thing. However, I love to be there waiting for my loved ones because I know how it would make me feel. Anyway, I mentioned this random fact to my father when we were waiting for Pooh to come in from Cali at Christmas. I was just making conversation, he was taking notes.
My plane landed Monday night at 8:30 p.m. I headed down to baggage claim to get my suitcase. To my surprise, my father was waiting down there for me carrying a bouquet of flowers and a homemade spinach pizza. Being the sap I am, I cried.
Then he and my mother drove me to pick up my car, put my suitcases in the trunk for me, hugged and kissed me and headed back home. They had only come for one reason, to make me smile.
This simple gesture made my week. Right now, even thinking about it made me teary. When someone loves you enough to know the one special thing they can to do make you smile, there is no better feeling in the world.
So thanks Dad for being such a wonderful man and ruining me for any future men who could never live up to the standard I have grown accustomed to. You are the man.
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25 comments:
You can't beat the relationship between a Dad and the "baby" daughter of the family. It doesn't ruin us for other men, it shows us what real men should be.
lollapalluko, that was a very good statement. I happen to agree with you. But of course, I am the dad.
m&d: that was so nice of you guys to do that for her! you are very sweet.
mcD: you will find a man and he will make you very happy!
Well, I have come to the realization that I do not recieve nearly enough flowers because I don't even own a vase to put them in. I had to use a football shaped Coors Light glass!
Is it me, or is there a correlation between blog writing and the lack of a boyfriend? Isn't it funny that once someone has one they seem to have other priorities.
Just a thought.
Very nice story.. very nice.
Anonymous-
If you are going to throw stones, at least be man enough to state you name. See metrsexual blog entry.
Anonymous...as McDougall's mom, I have quietly sat by and not commented on previous blogs. However, when someone misinterprets class and standards for loneliness and emptiness perhaps a little introspection is necessary.
How dare you say that about my granddaughter!
wow, totally misinterpreted... especially queen B:
"However, when someone misinterprets class and standards for loneliness and emptiness perhaps a little introspection is necessary."
Where did all that come from?!?! class and standards for loneliness and emptiness?!?!
I think you may have read much too deeply into a light-hearted comment that was merely pointing out that the other bloggers in McD's favorite blogs links have not updated there blogs in a long, long time...
Nice the way the whole family swarms to defend though... although the comment certainly wasn't interpreted accurately.
Anonymous, you comment has been caused the comments and my phone line to light up. Don't mess with the McDougall Clan. It is a rough bunch of chicks.
That being said, I was rather shocked to see Ma B posting. It is one thing to allow the rents to read this crap but Grandma? Not sure how I feel about that one...
I can't believe I upset grandma...
To the ENTIRE MCDOUGALL POSSEE:
In no way was my comment meant to upset or insult Miss Mcdougall in any way, nor was I insinuating in any way that:
1. She should change anything about her expectations about the man she wants to spend her life with. (pooh)
--I agree with high standards and waiting to find exactly what/who you are looking for.
2. That she has no class or standards. (queen b)
3. That she is lonely and empty. (queen b)
--I have no clue how the queen b derived any those thoughts...
I can honestly say that when my comments were written I had no idea of the magnitude they could be misconstrued into.
No worries...we just like a good fight.
I am afraid that the fam might scare off potential commenters. Maybe this is the real reason I can't seem to find anyone to date? My family is a little scary?
Does pooh suffer from a bit of OCD?
Just wondering...
How is your OCD relevant? lol...
I essentially apologized twice... Let it go... You may want to consider that it is your misunderstanding...
I bet you are the older sister, huh?
The one who ALWAYS has to win.
The one who ALWAYS has to have the last word.
Actually, they are both my older sisters. I am the baby which is the reason (I am assuming) they all feel the need to protect me!
I think we should all thank anonymous. I mean I have never even come close to 20 comments on a blog entry. Well done, anonymous, well done.
That is true - he knows how all about that sisterly defense ...he is related to me and my sister and has been in fights with us before. However, there is an innate desire to protect one's favorite cousin too...so let's not get too carried away. Unless we all get together for beers and make-up. That sounds like a good plan to me. Any takers??
Sorry anonymous, you've been outed.
I have spent all day flying back to the Northeast from the sunny and warm Southeast. The weather is depressing, but this exchange has brightened my return! Thanks everyone. :)
No hard feelings anonyomous...I am the older sister...I have to protect the baby!
t-bone said...
Yo Anthony, Don't mess with my women!!!
I too apologize for any misunderstanding. I am very proud of McDougall and have very strong protective instincts (as do her sisters and apparently grandma). If you mess with one of us you mess with all of us. I'll be watching.
My "not-so-secret" identity has officially been revealed... I can't believe McDougall turned me in! Probably after far too many phone calls containing something close to, "who is this a-hole anyway?" haha...
A few things:
1) 27 comments... gotta be a new high for McD.
2) eboogie - Now for my sake, my cousin can confirm that I am definitely not a metrosexual.
3) Pooh - "Essentially" was meant for the "twice" not for the apologizing... So I meant it more as, "I apologized, essentially twice." haha...
4) tbone - I am pretty sure your women - all 5 of them! are messing with me! lol...
5) lolla - Let me know about when/where for the beer, just don't let them dump it on me!
I think that's it... for now...
I have said this McDougall before but I am very impressed that she even told her family about her blog. My family would read, judged, and then had an intervention.
Alright, so everyone is happy now? I had to comment just to rounnd the number to 30. Well done everyone. Nice fight.
AP - we would never dump beer on you. That would be a waste and beer is our livelihood.
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