Today we celebrate Father’s Day. Most of us do all we can to recognize and honor our dads as we make this day as much about our patriarchs as possible. Excuse my selfishness, but today I am feeling pretty good myself. This isn’t a year where I tell my dad Happy Father’s Day and then wish that I was there with him, knowing that I still have to wait until the holidays to see him again. Rather, this year I get to wish him a Happy Father’s Day and then say “See you later this week!” It is true, by Thursday I will be in Spokane, together with my dad and family once again. I think this upcoming reunion definitely makes Father’s Day a little more special this year.

My dad and I when I was just a little boy.

It seems like I hear people describe their dads all the time as strict, unemotional, down-to-business-type figures. This is definitely the exact opposite of my father. I grew up with a dad who was about as invested, loving, and interested in the lives of us Reser kids that a parent could possibly be.

Whether it was creatively documenting our major achievements or coaching our sports teams as kids, my dad was there. If it was helping me with my penmanship or aiding me on a school project, my dad was the guy. When it came to having someone take me to sporting contests, parades, and movies, I was riding with my dad. As I grew older, I knew he would be at every athletic event I played in, every team banquet I attended, and every school-related function I needed him for. Once I hit college I knew he would always be up to call me, always there to attend the family weekends, and always eager to welcome me home when I returned to Spokane on breaks. As I started my professional career it was my dad who wanted to know every detail of my job, who asked me non-stop assiduous questions, and who would at the very end always say, “I sure wish I had your job.”

My dad and I on the field after a football game in Missoula a couple years ago.

No matter what, both of us will forever fondly look back on the amazing cross country trip we took together in April of 2014. It wasn’t even a question, my dad was going to help me move from one part of the country to the other as I started the next phase of my career. Driving a U-Haul some 2,700 miles, we had a very special time spending every minute together as we passed through some of the most scenic parts of this nation. It was the absolute bonding experience, an experience that consisted of four days living in strange hotels in sleepy towns. It went perfectly.

A photo from a rest stop during our epic voyage across the nation in May of 2014.

On this Father’s Day I would like to tell my dad how much he is valued and appreciated by our whole family. Dads don’t come any better than Tom Reser and that just isn’t me blowing smoke. This upcoming week will be the start of a very memorable time and I can’t wait. See you soon, dad. Don’t Blink.