Our Happy Father’s Day 2023 post is here. But this post is different. It is a humorous look at Father’s Day from my warped mind. Please take it for what it is. Being a father is one of the most important things to me and I would never change it. But being a Dad can be pretty funny.
I have always believed Father’s Day is only celebrated because people felt bad about Mother’s getting all the attention for Mother’s Day so they tossed in a day for us. This is pretty much confirmed by florists when Father’s Day was first introduced and slow to catch on. One florist was quoted as saying, “fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.”
Mother’s Day was first celebrated in the 1860s. It celebrated the peace and reconciliation campaigns post civil war. Mothers were a force in bringing families back together after the great divide. This idea caught on. By 1909, 45 States had holidays to celebrate mothers. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution declaring Mother’s Day to be on the second Sunday in May and to be an official holiday to honor mothers.
In contrast, a West Virginia church had the first record celebration of Father’s Day on July 5, 1908. This was to commemorate the coal miners who died in an explosion the previous December. It was not set to be a holiday nor as an annual event. Washington State did set up an annual Father’s Day holiday in 1910 when a daughter of a widower lead the charge to add this holiday. It wasn’t until 1924 that President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe Father’s Day. Then it wasn’t until 1972 that Father’s Day became an official national Holiday with President Richard Nixon signing a proclamation.
For those of us that remember the 1990s series, Dinosaurs TV Series, you have “Moma!” and “Not the Moma!” Happy Not the Moma Day to all of my fellow Dads out there. We all know we aren’t the momma.
As a Dad, I can understand this. Kids have a tendency to seek moms first. The mom is usually the comforter and the emotional heartbeat of the family. Even for us fathers who have a high emotional IQ and are compassionate, many of our children seek mom first. It makes sense why Father’s Day is a cut-rate holiday compared to Mother’s Day.
I know some of you, Dads, have those Daddy’s girls. My daughter (who is now 22) was never a daddy’s girl. She did like hanging with me when she was an older child and pre-teen. She enjoyed going with me and hanging out at geeky activities like conventions and comic stores. It was amazing while it lasted. In her heart, she was always a momma’s girl but daddy was okay… sometimes. I am envious of the Fathers with the Daddy’s girls.
This morning, I was reminded of the fact where Father’s Day stands. For Mother’s Day, my kids made sure to make the day as special as they could for my wife. They greeted her with smiles and “Happy Mother’s Day” as soon as they saw her. They spent their hard-earned money on a thoughtful gift for her. I was proud of how they took over making Mother’s Day very special for my wife.
Today was very different in comparison. My wife got out of the shower this morning and I asked her if we should get our son up at that time. She asked me to go get him up while she got dressed. I went to his room and knocked. No answer. I knocked a little louder. Still no answer. I opened the door a little and called out, “Logan it is time to get up.” I get a response of the ages with 14 year old attitude, “WHY DIDN’T MOM WAKE ME UP!” I responded in a humorous way by telling him, “Because she is naked.” I dropped the mic and left his room chuckling to myself.
Instead of the smiles and quick Happy Mother’s Day that my wife received, I got “Why didn’t mom wake me up!” Instead of thoughtful gifts from my kids with their own money, I got no presents from them. I think I did eventually hear Happy Father’s Day from both of them.
My wife did get me an amazing Father’s Day gift. A while back, we found out that Madonna is coming to Tulsa, OK in July. I have always wanted to see Madonna in concert since 1985 (long story there). My wife got us tickets to go so my Father’s Day gift will be amazing when we get to see Madonna in July.
My kids didn’t leave me completely hanging either. At lunch, we played the burping game where you have to put your figures on your head in a certain manner after someone belches and the last to do so “ate the burp”. My wife is beside herself that I have taught my kids this game but we all enjoyed it together. I was also full-on with Dad humor today and my kids laughed several times including Logan spitting Dr Pepper out of his mouth laughing so hard.
It has honestly been a great Father’s Day. No, it isn’t the same as Mother’s Day in meaning to my kids. But honestly, I got all I wanted for Father’s Day with my kids hanging out, laughing, spitting Dr Pepper, and burping. I will put up with all of the “Why didn’t mom wake me up” attitude as long as we can laugh and be stupid together.
Thank you, Logan and Natasha, for making a great Father’s Day for me. And thank you, Michelle, for putting up with me and letting me be dad to two great kids. Also, thanks for the Madonna tickets. I cannot wait!
Stay Geeky!
