Dear Dad 2015

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Dad,

Im currently up in the air flying home from Hawaii. Such a great trip – I think Hawaii was made for me. Theres so much adventure – running, hiking, swimming, wildlife, nature, and sunsets that make your heart melt with every cloud. Im so happy I said yes and took the time off. That trip was a gift that now is a special memory in my heart.

I did a lot of adventuring but also a lot of thinking while I was on the island. Vacations are good for that yea?  I feel like maybe we are closer now as a family than we’ve ever been and I think everything we have been through together has made us stronger as a Jordan clan. I want you to know how much admiration, respect, and love I have for you. You have been the captain that has steered our ship through both easy and rough waters. We wouldn’t still be sailing without your leadership and huge heart. Your courage, strength, and compassion inspires me DAILY. And I just want to thank you for that. Because who you are moves me to be the woman I want to be.

While in Hawaii I spent time with a lot of really cool, real, and unique people. We went hiking, beach surfing, and dining together. I found myself often telling my new friends stories of you. How you would take us out in the world, adventuring, and be the family leader that allowed us to have a beautiful childhood and grow up with positive memories. I told them of how you taught me about the constellations  – Orion, beetlejuice, and the big dipper. I told them how much you loved hiking and how we would conquer mountains, waterfalls, and national parks together. I told them of how you encouraged our dreams and supported us in our ventures (from dance, to business, and beyond). I told them of some of your passions like sailing, traveling, and reading that allowed you to live fully and be happy. I found myself talking about you a lot and it made me really realize how impactful, inspirational, and powerful you are in my life.

While beautiful, Wakiki is a really touristy place. There are many people who travel all over the world to stay put at a hotel in, sit in a lawn chair, and drink expensive drinks with pineapples. I shared a shuttle ride back to the airport with a father and daughter from New Zealand. They were traveling together to celebrate the daughters 15th birthday for three weeks through SF, LA, Vegas, and Hawaii. They were very friendly and VERY talkative. When I asked how their trip had been and what they experienced over their three weeks together, they shared stories of shopping, shopping, and more shopping. The father basically took the daughter on a three week trip all over the world to go shopping in malls. They were so excited about all the things they had bought and fancy restaurants they had experienced. I smiled and nodded as she showed off her new Gucci sunglasses and necklace but my heart was so sad. All I could think was, “you traveled all over the world from NZ and all you did was go shopping?!?!”. And while her sunglasses were nice I wasn’t the slightest bit jealous. I actually just felt really bad for them. I didn’t do a lick of shopping or stay in the hotel at all while I was in Hawaii. Thats because the best things in life aren’t in a hotel and can’t be bought in a store. They missed it, all of it, and that broke my heart. Thats when it really hit me. Im so grateful my dad raised me the way he did.

Thanks to you I have memories that last longer than any pair of sunglasses ever will. I have experiences that have shaped me into the woman I am and the woman I aspire to be. I know it sounds super sappy but Im so grateful for you it makes me feel happiness and emotions that move me to tears. And that comes from the bottom of my heart, I hope you can feel that.

I’ll probably always be learning about how to be a better daughter, sister, and woman. Thank you for standing by my side through my short comings and forgiving me for my faults. You could have fired me several times and you didn’t. Im very lucky for that! I hope we have more adventures, stars, sunsets, hikes, and experiences to share and I can’t wait to make memories with you. You are the best dad. You do it right. Thank you for being the parent and person who has shaped my life and made it a blessed, beautiful, and full one (all almost 30 something years of it).

I love you I love you I love you. Thank you Dad. Thank you for everything.

Happy Fathers Day.

Your Daughter,

Caroline

 

hiking Mt. Tam, California
hiking Mt. Tam, California
Dancing at brother Tim's wedding
Dancing at brother Tim’s wedding
Christmas in San Francisco
Christmas in San Francisco

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