12 things I learned from my father

It was hard to pick just 12!

1 Have a strong handshake because people will judge you on it. At the same time, notice the men who shake your hand limply and then go on to shake the men’s hands firmly. You’ll know exactly who you’re dealing with before you sit down at the table with them.

2 There are three sides to every story: My side, your side, and the truth.

3 Getting to help other people is the best part of a job.

4 If you ask someone for a recipe of theirs that you love, follow the instructions to a tee. If it calls for unsalted butter and you use salted butter, or if it calls for a good, freshly grated parmesan and you use something from a can in the supermarket, don’t be surprised when it doesn’t come out the way you expected.

5 If you have to ask whether you love someone, you don’t.

6 Men cry. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.

7 Spending an entire day trying to get photos of hummingbirds in the garden is a day well spent. Spending an entire day watching a Charlie Chaplin-Harold Lloyd double feature at the Film Forum is also a day well spent.

8 The best sound in the world is the sound of children playing.

9 It’s okay to send back an overcooked burger. You paid for it.

10 Your kids are never too old for you to hold their hands.

11 Whether or not you live with your kids full-time, you can be a full-time dad.

12 You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose but you can’t pick your friend’s nose.

Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads, stepdads, and father figures of the world. Especially mine. Love you, Dad.

And for those of you who struggle with this day for any reason, may it land gently for you. I see you too.

If you have a favorite bit of dad advice, whether from your dad or someone else’s, I’d love to hear it!

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