Popeye's Birthday

Me and Dad in our skinnier days. Actually he is still pretty skinny. Me? Hmmmm. Haven't looked like that in a bikini in quite some time. In fact, I think this was the only one I ever owned before the ones I bought for my honeymoon. Ha!
I honestly have no idea where this was taken...on a vacation somewhere for sure. We didn't have flowers like that when I was little. Mom and Dad do now. I should have warned Graham and Emmy that these pictures were coming. Oops.


Dad preparing to walk me down the aisle at my wedding in the Africa heat. It was, after all, August 20th in Texas. Instead of complaining about wearing all that garb, (which even my groom did,) Dad just took it in stride.
Dad, me, and Mom. Popeye and Nattie had their wedding in the same church a very long time ago and I can pretty much guarantee it wasn't as hot as it was this day. No day was as hot as this day. On record. Well maybe I'm making that up.

My dad, commonly known as Popeye around here, turned 60 years old on Saturday. Rather than spend his big day walking the streets of Venice, (which he would have loved more than just about anything,) he spent it at my house slaving away over my kids. Or rather being my kids' slave.

Whichever way you look at it, he slaved.

And you know what?

I think he loved it.

Dad, you are better with words than I am but I hope you know how much you mean to all of us. There's no greater joy than watching my kids with you and mom. I know that they will have many memories of you giving them whatever they want against my wishes. Cookies for breakfast, Fritos (and nothing else,) for dinner, and Blue Bell any time they wish. How could they NOT love you?

Happy Birthday Dad. We love you.