Celebrating Father’s Day Memories and Saluting My #ULTRADAD

This post is sponsored by Michelob Ultra but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Father’s Day is always a little bittersweet for me. My dad, with whom I shared a birthday, passed away over 30 years ago. The holiday does always remind me to keep the other father’s in my life close to me, to celebrate their love, and to spend some time remembering my dad.

In honor of Father's Day, I'm sharing some special memories of my #ULTRADAD, plus taking a few moments to honor the other dads in my life. #ad @MichelobULTRA #liveULTRAClick To Tweet

Father’s Day Memories

My dad was born in Denmark. He came to this country after World War II. Though he was too young to be a soldier, he was involved with the Danish Underground. We spent many hours listening in rapturous silence to his stories of that time. Even as adults, we’d sit around the fireplace, beer in hand, and beg to hear the stories just once more. He always obliged.

When my father moved to the US, he immediately enrolled in school and started the process to become a citizen. He soon met my mom and swept her off her feet. They were married within months. When he graduated from business school, they moved to Florida where he began his career in hospital management. After almost 10 years of trying to have children, they adopted me from the Children’s Home in Tampa.

We moved to California when I was three and my dad became the administrator of a local hospital. Like most fathers, he worked hard to support his family. He always took the time to spend with his three daughters, though. We each had our special times with him when he would take us on mini vacations for one-on-one time with our dad.

Because we shared a birthday, my dad and I always had a special connection. Even after I became an adult I loved to spend time with him. We shared a love for beer and Danish food, which makes me laugh now because we could chat for hours, eating and drinking our favorite Michelob ULTRA, and just happy being together.

He’s been gone a long time now, but I think about him frequently, especially around Father’s Day. We had a special connection that I still miss very much. I am honored, though, that I have so many “other fathers” in my life. I’m looking forward to celebrating the holiday with these men.

My oldest son Nathan is a father himself now, with two beautiful children with whom he is creating his own memories. I am so proud of the man that he has become.

While my youngest son David has no children of his own yet, he has become a wonderful father figure to his girlfriend’s children. He loves them like his own and is there for them when they need him.

And, of course, Alan, my husband, who took on two teenage stepsons when we got married and tried to be the best stepdad he could be. He went to all the football games and track meets, and frequently took on the task of discipline when necessary. He is now grandpa to Nathan’s children as well as the grandfather to his own son’s twin boys.

Celebrating Father’s Day

We tend to keep our Father’s Day celebration pretty low-key. With the complication of multi-marriage families, we are happy to get together for a barbecue and a Michelob ULTRA. We keep the gifts pretty simple too. Even though my boys are adults, I find that giving them a few hints in the gift department works the best.

This year, I’m sending them to Michelob ULTRA for the best ideas! We are big fans around here and I love all the fun logoed gifts available! From the “normal” Father’s Day presents like hats and ties, all the way to golf bags, polo shirts, and even running tops, you can find something for every dad’s taste.

Do you have plans for Father’s Day?

 

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