With Father’s Day approaching (June 19th, get ready y’all), I started to think about how blessed I am to have such an awesome dad. As I get older, I meet more and more women who have had to overcome having a dad who wasn’t always there or one that was never around at all. I cannot imagine and I am so thankful to have had a dad that was and still is around. He has taught me so much and it is my hope that what I have learned from him, y’all can use in your daily lives as well.

#1 Spend time with Jesus – Papa Tilley comes home for lunch everyday, puts on his glasses and reads his Bible. He never tells me what he is reading when I watch him or how it effects his life, he just keeps that time for him and God. His persistence is adorable and admirable. 

#2 Be aware of your surroundings – As a fire chief, dad is all about safety. I know that if we go to a restaurant, I am not allowed to sit in the chair that faces the door. That is his seat so he can watch who comes inside. Thankfully no one crazy has ever walked in somewhere we have been but it is good to know he is ready (for whatever…). I now, like to view the door in restaurants.

#3 Seinfeld can teach you a lot – He quotes Seinfeld allll the tiiiime. My fav has to be, “Breaking up is like pushing over a drink machine, you have to rock it a few times before it falls.” I tell it to all my friends who need relationship advice. Lol. 

#4 Be witty – My dad always has something to say about everything. Although sometimes it can be a little mean (like when he told me my face was going to stay fat after getting my wisdom teeth removed because I drank too many milkshakes), I love it. 

#5 Make the most of your days – Like when we are on vacation, ice cream is a must. If we are out to eat and you want the meal that costs $3 extra, do it. If there’s a beautiful sunset, watch it. Although life can seem long, it is short. Make the most of it.

Now…some gift ideas with the help of one of my fav NC companies…Swoozie’s!

My dad finally has his first “Man Room” so any decor, like this sign, would make his liiiife! Chief Tilley is also a little stressed occasionally so I feel like a fluffy robe could be the perfect way to say, “relax, it’s Father’s Day!” Also who doesn’t love a good monogram?! This grill set or backpack cooler chair (yes, it is a chair that is also a cooler that folds into a backpack) would make any dad excited! Maybe your dad is the fancy type…cufflinks are always a safe bet! 

Tight on cash? The way to every man’s heart is through is stomach! You can’t go wrong with bacon and eggs in bed… And guess what, you probably already have his heart so if it tastes bad, no worries! It’s the thought that counts!