Another year passes and we are wishing my dad a happy birthday today. As I vowed last year, I have decided to celebrate his life - which is why I'm writing this today. Last year, my good friend Megan told me that her mom eats an ice cream cone every year to remember a loved one. I thought that was such a great idea! So last year, I decided to start that tradition for my dad's birthday.
When I was growing up in Platte City, Missouri there were no fast food restaurants. No restaurants, really. Needless to say, the day that Dairy Queen came to town was pretty exciting for us. That was the first day that my dad bought me a blizzard. After that, DQ was our special place. We would drive through and pick up M&M blizzards - Dad always sweet talked the girls at the window to add more candy. So having an ice cream treat on his birthday feels very fitting.
Another known fact about my dad - he was extremely proud of my brother's service in the Marine Corps. And he loved that his birthday fell on the Marine Corps "Birthday". And today, it just feels right that my brother sent me an email from Iraq to say that he was wishing dad a happy birthday, too.
And so a very happy birthday to my dad and all the Marines who unselfishly serve our country. I am very proud to put those two sentiments in the same breath. I raise my ice cream cone to you all - Semper Fi.
