My big, badass Correction Officer persona is getting torn to pieces this week.
First the emotional overload of running my first 5K last Saturday with my daughter, now this.

My boys girlfriend is the most wonderful kid.
I consider her a part of our family, and she is like a daughter to me.
She is a regular junior contributing author for the local paper.
She asked me to be sure to get the paper today.
Following is the article that appeared in the paper, along with this photo of me in one of the kilts I have made.



Young voices: And a few more things about dads ...

For all the fathers out there who know what it means to sing a lullaby for their child, or play airplane on the front lawn, Happy Father’s Day. This is your day of appreciation.

But there is one person in particular I would like to acknowledge: Gary (me).

Here’s an open letter to him:

Dear Gary,

When we first met, I was so afraid you would not like me as your son’s girlfriend. I had blue-green hair, tripped over my words as well as myself, and was weird. Little did I know, you were weird too. Although your humor might offend some, I laugh anyway and hope for another joke.

You have given me more love than any father figure ever could. You have a love for computers, Renaissance, kilts, beauty and family, and still you have room for me. You have seen me in every emotional state there ever was, yet you love me for who I am. I truly wish you were my dad.

Sometimes my free spirit gets on your nerves, but you censor yourself anyhow. I know, in any time of need, you would be there. No questions asked, nor any payment due.

You have included me into your family, every trip planned out as if I am going, and every day your home is open for me to come in as I please. I remember you taking pictures at prom; you looked so proud. Also, I will never forget the family game nights. You were so convinced I was full of useless knowledge that would be good at “Scene It.” Turns out you were better at it, because you won every time.

Know that you and your family are not taken for granted. Thank you for treating me as your own daughter. I never thought I needed a father in my life, I never thought I would want one. Yet, here I am, a year and a half later, wishing to have the guts to call you dad someday.

When I am frustrated you give a smile; you hug me when I need it, and love me at all times. Thank you for being my role model. You have shown me that real men can sew and can wear kilts (and do so) at any function. Thank you for showing me that not all dads are selfish.

I love you, Gary. Thank you for being a dad to me.

Tedi is a junior at (local) High School.


AND the son just graduated on Tuesday night and is headed to college next year as a computer science major.

Makes a dad so proud I am just busting at the seams!