There’s something special about my relationship with my dad. Whether it be with each passing year we act younger, our love for humor, or our willingness to always be there for each other. I count my blessings everyday that I have such a wonderful dad.
So what makes us act younger with each passing year? It definitely isn’t our physical appearance. No, it’s more-so our love for all of our heroes and shared ideologies. And most prevalent, the love we have for each other.
My affinity with Superman actually stems a bit from my dad’s love for the boy from Krypton. My dad grew up in the golden age of Superman comics. Batman was kind of a square back then, but everyone loved Superman. For me, it was the opposite. Batman was the Bees knees when I was growing up, and Superman was kind of a little bitch. However, as I got older, I saw the big picture. A person who chooses to be amongst us and live like normal folk instead of living like the god he could be is beyond admirable.
That’s kind of how I’ve always seen my dad. Not in a god-like way, but as someone who could’ve amounted to greater feats but was very happy with the simple life. Superman has shown my dad and I the true value of contentment. Now I know on paper it sounds childish learning a lesson from a comic book. But there’s power in that.
He also showed me the importance of cartoons. I believe the admiration I have for all my pop culture icons stems from my father. He has staples such as Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck and Homer Simpson, to name a few. This is where our childlike innocence stems from. I have more love for these characters than most live action characters, and my dad does as well. They just resonate with us more. I think we both can agree the first ten minutes of “UP” is some of the saddest in cinema history.
My dad’s sense of humor is pretty unrivaled. He’s one of the funniest people I know, and He’s shown me how a sense of humor can negate the toughest of situations. That humor can create levity and time can turn tragedy into comedy. That laughter is the spice of life. I know these are standard Humor 101 lessons, but they were bestowed upon me by my father. To me he’s the just my dad, but my teacher of comedy.
The most important thing about our relationship, though, is that we’re always there for each other. I know if I ever need something from him. He’ll have my back instantly. He’s been my therapist, my accountant, my confidant, my friend but most importantly, my father.
Dad, to me you’re the closest thing I have to Superman. You’ve helped people throughout your whole life, brought peace to the world, and spread the love everywhere you go. Quite frankly, Superman doesn’t even have shit on you. You’re Earth’s mightiest hero, my dad.