Vickie Fee

Daddio-mine

Yesterday was Father’s Day. For lots of folks that meant buying just the right tie or a bottle of scotch. Cards and phone calls. And lots of hugs. For me, as for many of you, it was time for a good cry.

I know I’m lucky because so many people will never know the blessing of having a wonderful daddy, like mine. He passed away suddenly in 2006. Hard to believe so many years have passed since the Lord took him from us physically. He was so loved by his kids and grandkids. The night he died, his three-year-old grandson and five-year-old granddaughter were spending the night at my parents’ house. Granddaddy spent a few minutes, not too long before he died, getting a drink of water for the youngest, and lying down with him for a few minutes until the little one drifted back into slumber. My daddy adored his grandchildren. I’m so glad that was his last memory.

My daddy in his Army days

That grandson, my nephew Seth, is getting married next weekend. It would be so sweet if his granddaddy could be here for this moment. He’d be so proud. Hubs and I are driving to Tennessee this week for the grand event. My brother, who reminds be so much of our dad and who sounds so much like him one the phone, will be there. And so will his proud grandmother, who will soon turn 87.

On my wedding day, Daddy walked me down the aisle and then “leapt” over my 18-foot long train to sit beside my mama. My dad was running a bit late for my wedding. He went to fetch his dad and had to change a tire on the way to the church. My mom was getting a little nervous about the time and at one point even asked me if I wanted my brother to go ahead and walk me down the aisle. I told her we’d wait for Daddy, no matter how long it took! He looked so elegant in his tuxedo, despite the tire-changing chore. And I felt so proud. As we were walking slowly down the aisle, I suddenly caught sight of my groom leaning around to get a look at me. When everyone stood for the bride, they blocked his view, and he said I was the only thing he wanted to see. Before handing me over to my about-to-be husband, Daddy leaned over and kissed me. Both of us had a tear escaping, but I’d never felt happier or prouder.

I definitely married the right man. And so did my mother.

Feel free to share in comments a memory about your dad, granddad or favorite guy.

33 thoughts on “Daddio-mine”

  1. Awwww, Vickie, I understand how poignant Father’s Day (and Mother’s Day) can be after your parents are gone. It’s wonderful that you have such great memories of your dad!

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    2. He’d never been sick a day in my life. Losing him to a heart attack (his first) was like a nuclear bomb to my heart.

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  2. I’m happy you have so many wonderful memories, Vickie. My dad passed away when I was 16, so I don’t have as many memories to choose from. Two that quickly come to mind are that he taught me to play euchre, a necessity in the Midwest, and he was an ace at horseshoes. Cheers!

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      2. Believe it or not, at the family summer camp I went to in Maine with my parents, throwing horseshoes was not a co-ed activity. My dad and I got to play shuffleboard after dinner, though. (I miss shuffleboard!)

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    4. J.C., I’m so sorry you lost your dad so young. But, happy that, like me, you had a good dad and great memories! I’ve never played euchre, but my parents were killer Rook players!

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  4. I so understand, Vickie. My dad died in 2019, and Father’s Day is still difficult for me. I miss him every day.

    I love the story of his changing a tire on the way to your wedding–it sounds like something out of a movie!

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    2. I would’ve changed that part of the script, since my mom was about to have a stroke over us running late! But he had called and we knew they were okay. My paternal grandfather was the only living grandparent I had at that time, so I was thrilled he was able to be at my wedding. He told my hubs not to take any wooden nickels as we were about to leave the church!

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  5. Vickie, what a beautiful post. My dad died unexpectedly too. I know how gut-wrenching a loss it is.

    I have such great memories of Dad. He was such a New Yorker. I’ll never forget him taking me through a labyrinth of tunnels in Times Square to show me a free transfer between subway lines that he had no idea existed. He also loved and believed in smart women and kicked off my magazine writing career by introducing me to some of his clients (he was a Mad Man), who kind enough to take a chance on his daughter. He declared, “I’m a firm believer in nepotism.” Today’s “nepo babies” would have loved him!

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  6. Vickie, what a lovely tribute to your dad! I think this year was particularly hard on those of us who have lost our dads, judging from the posts on social media. I think my dad is still around, though. He’s fond of waving his American flag when we arrive at and leave the cemetery, no matter the weather. And when I looked back over my shoulder after my daughter’s civil wedding, the American flag waved inside the (July-with-no-AC) Brooklyn courtroom. NY State flag beside it, nada. I’m sure it was him.

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  7. What great memories of your dad. I’ll be lucky enough to get to camp with mine (and the rest of my family) next month. Looking forward to it.

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  10. My father died unexpectedly on July 22, 1982. I had been with him for the weekend at a Stamp Happening as we collected stamps together since I had been a child. I was 34 years old, and he was almost 68. I was lucky to have had him as long as I did, but I miss him so much. I wasn’t ready to lose him. My husband’s father died when he was 17 and that was hard though they were not close. I recently wrote an article entitled “I’m a Daddy’s Girl” for my hometown online newsletter called RGV Memories (Rio Grande Valley of Texas). It turned out really well and I got to share some of my special moments with my Daddy with people that knew him. I do miss that he did not get to walk me down the aisle or see me married as we did not get married until 1983, so we just got married at the courthouse. Card games are certainly regional. I also have heard of Euchre but do not have the slightest idea of how to play it. When we were in Missouri visiting my husband’s relatives, they played Yahtzee and Liverpool Rum. My grandmother in Brownsville, Texas taught us Canasta (though it now has become more regional). Jennifer congrats on your father’s heart beating anew.

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