Any Major Dad Will Tell You: John

Welcome to the second installment of ‘Any Major Dad Will Tell You’ and today we’ve got the man who is solely and completely responsible for me getting a 1.3 in Logic: John. You see when John and I were in college together we would always meet at the same table in the cafeteria and hang out between classes. We would be joined intermittently by other friends, and over time we started skipping class on a regular basis because we didn’t like our respective classes. One day another one of our cohorts and I went home with John, who happens to hail from the same town our college is located.

When we arrived at his house his mom was home making chocolate chip cookies, much to our poor college student delight. This trip would soon become a routine for us, and our attendance at class suffered. I even tried to talk my way out of the GPA scarring grade by detailing my logic. It went a little something like this: “I don’t like your class. I like chocolate chip cookies. Its too late to drop your class; therefore, I choose to eat cookies over attending class.” Needless to say, it did not work.

In any event, after finishing his business degree John decided against a career either buying, selling or processing things and followed his passion. After a stint in grad school he went into teaching and is now working for the Boston public school system. A professional student, he has more degrees than three people need and is a Captain in the Air Force Reserve. John is the newest of my friends to join this whole fatherhood craze, as he and his wife welcomed their son into the world two months ago.

RMDM: How has being a father changed your life?

Being a dad has changed my life in almost every way it can. I know am more concerned about his and Terri’s safety (insert the Volvo I bought her last year, the home alarm system I got when I found out she was pregnant and the big dog I am looking to buy when he is a little older). I have had to change my thought process about volunteering for military deployments, everything I just did, now requires me to think how it will not only effect Terri but him also. Still with all that said I would change nothing, I love it.

RMDM: What characteristic do you possess that you hope your children inherit?

I had to think about this, I hope he gets my passion for the things I love and cherish (my wife, the mustang’s and the Patriots, Celtics and Red Sox). When I really enjoy something or love it I take care and appreciate them. I also hope he gets my drive, where only you limit or stop you, nothing else.

RMDM: Are there any specific life lessons that are important for you as a father to pass on?

As a father to a son, one life lesson he will get is how to treat a woman. What is acceptable and what is not. The other life lesson is that nothing is handed to you, and if you want something you need to go get it.

RMDM: What has been your proudest moment as a father so far?

Besides not killing him at 3am while he cries and pees/craps on me, um I would have to say seeing him born, watching the excitement of each of the families every time they see him and seeing him smile for the first time. I also look forward to the first time I can get him in the Mustang and able to take a picture of it.

RMDM: Describe your perfect Father’s Day.

Just spending it with my family, especially Terri and Ryan is enough for me.

Welcome to the club John, and thanks for participating.

Enjoy your first Father’s Day!