If there’s one thing about me, it's that I am Ken Wood reincarnated. Well, kind of. I mean he’s still kicking, so I guess that goes against the actual concept of what reincarnation means, but you get the point. And if you know us, you know this.
I don’t just get my looks from my dad. Seriously. I don’t look anything like Izzy, Sam, and my mom. Well, except for our feet. But that’s gross. I get my carefree and chill lifestyle from him, I get my crooked teeth from him, I get my bad eyesight from him, I get my high cholesterol from him (thanks a lot for this one), I get my humor from him, I get my back pains from standing on concrete from him, I get my tall stature (I am grateful for this) from him, and most importantly I am alive because of him (lol. And mom).
Some people don’t get to have a relationship with their fathers. Some people do but their fathers are a piece of crap. Some people have the best fathers in the world and lose them too early. And some people have fantastic fathers who we still get to spend time with. How lucky am I that I fall into that last category? So lucky!
My dad might think I’m crazy though. Like an actual lunatic. And maybe it’s because he’s a doctor and my sister and I are grade A hypochondriacs. BUT I like to believe we are this way because we’ve always had the answers to our ailments readily available to us. I know he was tired of seeing the progression of my blister on my foot. Or the constant videos to make sure my tonsils weren’t touching when I had a cold. Or the piece of my tooth that I chipped off. Wow, he’s so lucky to have me.
But the best thing about my dad is he goes along with it. He may ignore some of those crazy messages like “I heard a talk on cardiovascular health, am I having a heart attack?” or when COVID happened “Am I going to die of coronavirus?” but he accepts us for our insane questions. He’s so patient and kind. He really is a saint. I might be saying that because he’s my dad, but it’s the truth.
Some people have a different relationship with their dad, where they are afraid to tell them the truth or ask them questions. My dad has always made conversation so easy. He shares as much as he listens. He makes talking about hard things easier (like $). Even though he doesn’t give in, lol. I suppose that makes me a better adult. I am so lucky to have my dad!
Almost every day when I’m driving down the road in Dallas, I see Kenwood St. It makes me smile every time. Just a little reminder of my dad every day.
Here are some of my favorite things about my dad.
He makes a mean Aperol spritz. We’re into putting Orange Poppi instead of seltzer water in our spritzes around here.
He’s one of the smartest people I know and encourages us to be intellects. (Sam shows this the most).
Once he finds something he loves, he sticks to it. Just think of his bourbon collection.
Which leads me to number 4, he is loyal af. He is always in our corner.
He loves to gossip. I love to gossip. It’s perfect. He always knows more than me.
He takes a nap every day. As long as I can remember, my dad either takes a nap in a recliner at work or in the movie room upstairs. He always told me to be quiet when he’d nap. Why nap right beside the loudest person in the house’s room?
He loves my mom. He sets the bar high. He shows Izzy and me how we deserve to be treated.
He loves desserts. More than anyone I know. Well minus Pobby (haha). I love desserts. He always is down to DoorDash Baskin Robbins for dessert or fire up the oven for cookies after dinner.
He loves art. He was an art history minor and the one who taught me to appreciate art.
He taught me how to appreciate the finer things in life like a good steak and a nice glass of bourbon.
He laughs really loud. He also sneezes really loud. But I definitely got my loud laugh from him.
He says classic dad things like “I’m tight as a tick” after a big meal.
He’s a selfie king. Always sending us shots of himself somewhere. It’s one of my favorite things about him.
He has a pair of On Clouds that he calls his “House Shoes.” He has “gardening” on clouds. He has “dress up” on clouds. He has like 4 or 5 pair for every occasion.
He cried when I won an award at graduation. Proud Dad moment. 🥲
He complains about Cookeville traffic like he’s in the middle of LA rush hour. It’s so funny. Please see the photo.
He is dramatic. Obviously, it’s where we get our theatrics from.
He literally hates road trips. He doesn’t even like to drive to Nashville, but he and Mr. Dewayne drove a U-Haul to Dallas for me. #blessed
He’s a homebody. We both have NO FOMO. We’re alike a lot, can’t you tell?
He loves us and supports us in our decisions and helps us become the best versions of ourselves. He’s the best!!!!
I could go on and on about how awesome my dad is, but I’ll let you all get back to your dads today. Soak up every moment with them! You only get one dad, so if you’re lucky enough to have a great one like mine, enjoy it! Happy Father’s Day, dad! I love you!
Xx, Annie
I have to conclude with this photo of Izzy and my dad. It’s too funny not to include it on Father’s Day. So, Happy Father’s Day from Izzy, too. HAHAHA
Love it. Love Ken Wood, our purveyor of bourbon for those Bourbon Slushees!
Great article from the heart and with the sweet sense of humor honoring your dad!!!!!