I was always a daddy’s girl. I had a close relationship with my father and was blessed to have known unconditional love.
I have so many stories about him, but this remembrance always makes me smile, almost 50 years later.
Daddy-Daughter Time
When I was little, around seven years old, Thursday nights were very special.
My mother was in a bowling league and would go out with her friends for the evening. She would not return until after I was already in bed (and theoretically, asleep!).
It was my night with Dad and we had a series of TV shows we watched together every week.
Sprichst du Deutsch?
The first show was Guten Tag on public television, a German language course designed for TV.
Now why would a seven-year-old want to learn German? To begin preparations for my world travels, of course!
How did we do with the class? Not so well. Over time, I realized I do much better with romance languages, probably because I grew up around Italian speakers. But at least we tried!
Bless my father for indulging me! I’m sure that learning German was the last thing he wanted to do after working all day.
A Favorite – Love on A Rooftop
One of my other favorite shows that night was Love On A Rooftop, with Peter Duel and Judy Carne (who later went on to do Laugh-In).
The show was about a poor, idealistic couple (an apprentice architect and an art student) in San Francisco who lived in an awful rooftop apartment – which was only redeemed by its amazing view of the city.
It was a silly sitcom but their love-at-first-sight romance seemed dreamy to me (and Peter Duel was crush-worthy!).
Plus it was set in San Francisco, another city that fascinated me and became another “must-see” city on my travel wish list.
Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes
But the real highlight of Thursday evening was watching the Dean Martin Show together.
I LOVED everything about Dino: he had a great voice, he was funny, and he was suave and sophisticated.
His variety show was wildly popular at the time. He had surprise guests every week plus reoccurring regulars like Dom DeLuise and Nipsey Russell.
Plus, I was allowed to stay up late to watch the whole show!
I remember my mother quietly checking in on me in bed after she returned home, I distinctly remember the scent of her Chanel No.5, mixed with the smell of cigarette smoke from the bowling alley.
Little things really do mean a lot.
I’ve come to appreciate that it’s these small moments in our lives that are what’s truly important, not the “grand gestures.”
I would do anything to have one of those Thursday nights with my father.
Daddy, Happy Father’s Day. Ich liebe dich.
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These kind of moments, especially if they become a ritual of sorts, are treasured forever. Our time with our fathers as young girls is so important!
I completely agree! And of course, I assumed everyone had that relationship with their father. When I got older, I realized how incredibly blessed I was.
Great remembrance of days gone by. Fathers and daughter have unique relationships. As they say a son is a son until he takes a wife, a daughter is a daughter from the rest of her life.
That is absolutely true! Thank you so much for reading. Happy Father’s Day to another great dad!
Great story. Very heart warming.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for reading!
A beautiful tribute to a wonderful man
Thank you so much for reading. He thought the world of you. Happy Father’s Day!
What special memories and fun Daddy/daughter time each week!
I was truly blessed!
I’m glad you enjoyed the story! Thank you for reading.
I love that story of you and Lupo. My Dad and I also shared a love of movies…thrillers and dramas, musicals with my mother. We were voracious readers and had deep conversations.
Your Dad was also a very special person. I remembered the bond you had.
The childhood memories that comfort us now …..Your dad was a great dad and I loved watching you two together. Thank you for including me in your family. Great memories for me too!
My parents adored you and loved having you join us when you could at holidays. I will also never forget my dad’s face the day you drove from Michigan to visit him right before he passed away. You made him very happy! Thank you!
Lovely memory of your beloved Dad.
Thank you, Robin. He was one of a kind!
What a sweet memory of Lupo! I know from firsthand experience how much he loved you!
I was truly blessed! And remember how much he loved you too!
What a beautiful memory. It’s the small, quiet things that fill our heart. 💜
So true! I remember those Thursdays like they were yesterday.