Dear Dad: Love Your Tomboy on Father’s Day

Hey Dad,

While sitting here on Father’s Day talking to you from the other side of the country, something dawned on me. Just one day seems trivial for everything dads do. Maybe a week instead, I’m not sure: just that sentiment should live on a bit longer. I had bought a card and was going to send it earlier this week. However, I didn’t think a “fufu card” (your words) would cut it. I wanted something more permanent, something you can read again throughout the year when you need a smile.

Love, your Tomboy Daughter

My First Best Friend

While the memories themselves were slightly fuzzy, the feelings weren’t. I remember my first feelings of adventure and the world around me were with you. Years turned those moments into more, from talks in the car about the history of our country, your stories of the glory years watching classic rock bands live, and making stick shifts and oil/tire changes a mandatory requirement for a driver’s license. It’s no doubt I’m who I am because of you: a tomboy of few words (in public) and a mind of my own.

My Creative Cheerleader

Yes, you were a stellar coach for all my track seasons and martial arts days. However, I appreciated you being in my corner always when it came to my real passions: music and fashion/art. While most girls spent time playing dress up in their mother’s wardrobe, borrowing your concert tees and records were more my speed. I also felt like your creativity went unnoticed: my painting skills and ability to build things definitely came from you. Just like you’d spend time carving in your workshop making cool things for us or our house, I’d spend hours sketching everything from clothing to buildings. Thank you for encouraging me to pursue modeling while still in high school after being scouted in the mall. I’ve turned that passion into this blog.

My Character Role Model

We live in a modern world today where men are chastised for pretty much everything when it comes to women, and it makes me sad. While there are certainly outliers and fools in every line of professional work, the dates we go on, and beyond, there are many great ones that shape us into the strong women we’ve become. As someone who shares the same personality type as me: introverted yet intelligent, you’ve been a constant role model for me. Great leaders are authentic ones that set excellent examples for those around them regardless of gender. My character and mental toughness shaped by you has built me into the respected leader I am today. I stand strong and sure in my abilities in fields dominated by men, from the military to sales. However, you’ve made the shoes of my future partner VERY HARD to fill.

The Male Perspective

It’s been said that we are shaped by those closest to us. Growing up with only one brother, our time spent together was often outdoors. Family trips were filled with learning new skills, from hunting to archery. Being encouraged at a young age to not fear the unknown or a challenge was not only exciting but served me well in navigating the world as an adult. Especially as a woman. I was never defined under society’s image of what a woman should be by you, and I thank you for that. I think the tomboy perspective can be valuable to women everywhere, especially when it comes to interacting with our male counterparts and coming to the table as an equal. It’s about understanding their perspective and allowing both sides to be heard. Understanding men is the first step to building a relationship with them, whether professional or personal, and I thank you for raising me to be a great listener and understand their mindsets.

Thanks Dad

Thank you for helping me understand the other 50% of the world’s population. It’s so important in today’s world. Thank you for making me a well-read individual that can speak on anything from politics to art. Major thank you for teaching me to have excellent taste in music. I’m a confident and capable woman of integrity and grit, and it’s because of you. Knowing I can absolutely defend myself in a fight is pretty awesome too. I vow to make it my mission to help change the conversation when it comes to women and men working together. When we do, the result is pretty fucking rad.

Love,

Your girly tomboy

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