In high school and college, my dad and I would catch up over loaded tater tots and chili dogs at my hometown’s rootbeer stand. This year, he’s coming to Indy, and we’re celebrating Father’s Day by visiting the Mug-n-Bun.
I’m lucky to have my dad, step dad and grandpa as father figures in my life – plenty of sources for hugs, slightly embellished stories of glory days and fatherly advice.
A few weeks ago, I found myself sitting on the ground at a gas station, tire pressure gauge in hand. I called my dad, and asked, “Am I doing this right?”
After filling up my tires, I sat in the parking lot for 45 minutes. He told me about his upcoming trip, I showed him my shorter hair and he shared advice about my first year of work after graduation. I learned a lot about tires, too.
In honor of Father’s Day, we asked Mirror Indy staff and readers to share the best dad-vice they have gotten from the father figures in their life.
Crystal Franks
My father’s name is Craig Franks. One day I was stressing about a big project and called my father, crying. He told me to breathe and said, “How do you eat an elephant?”
Confused, I said, “I do not know.” He said, “One bite at a time. So every time you are overwhelmed, take the first step and then move to the next. Don’t always look at the big picture.”
Ebony Chappel
Free Press Indiana market director
Here’s some advice my late father gave me: “It’s our duty to give back and help raise the consciousness of others through this Black proverb – Each One, Teach One. Each One, Reach One.”
Dee Hardy
“It’s better to bear the shame than bear the pain (don’t hold in your farts).”
Lori Welge Fulk
“The best revenge on your enemies is to have a good life.”
My wildly fit and active dad is now battling the final stages of Parkinson’s.
Alton Northup
“If you’re on time, you’re late.” Came from my 8th grade math teacher.
James Todd
When I was a young boy growing up in Oklahoma, my dad would take me fishing on a friend’s property at a place called Hogshooter Creek. If we passed through a gate that was open, we were to leave it open, and if it was closed, we would leave it closed. We picked up our trash and any that we found while we were there.
The lesson I took from those trips was leave things the way you find them. That has served me well over the years.
Joseph Coleman
“Condoms are cheap. Babies are expensive.”
Amanda Kingsbury
Mirror Indy managing editor of innovation
When I was in high school, my cousin asked me to help serve the cake at her very formal military wedding reception.
An uptight woman came by my table to whisper, “It’s time,” so I solemnly made my way toward the cake.
My dad started clapping. Then my 13-year-old brother started clapping. Then a couple hundred people started clapping, except they had no idea why. They were craning their necks, confused, wondering why the heck they were applauding … the 16-year-old cake server?
My dad taught me two lessons that day:
- People often follow the lead of others without questioning why.
- Never take yourself too seriously. Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself in a spotlight you didn’t earn and would probably rather avoid.
My dad died in 2020. I miss his sense of humor.
Victoria Glover
From my dad, while I was learning to drive: “Hesitate or die.” You either make the turn when you think about it, or wait. If you hesitate and then go, you’ll get into an accident. I still think about that when driving!
Matt Kiraly
My dad turned 50 this past year, and he told me that if I were to ever get anxious about long-term stuff in life, to realize that 90% of the time it works out. The other 10%? You’ll figure it out. He can’t explain it, but he told me, in life, he just had this weird realization of everything turning out to be okay.
Timothy Bowman
“Show up. Show up even if you’ll be late, show up even if you’re dirty, show up. You’ll never know what it means until later in life.”
Erin Sullivan
While I was growing up, my dad, Brian, reminded me that trusting your family is most important. You can put your trust into your friends or coworkers, but they won’t always have your back like your family.
Patrick Roberts
Advice to my sons: If a restaurant offers something on the menu that is served on fire, I will never not order that thing. I have never once been disappointed.
Sophia Brandewie
Advice from my dad, Shaun Brandewie:
If you can’t fit all of your stuff into a U-Haul trailer, you just need to reposition it. My dad has helped me with every move, and manages to squeeze all of my stuff into a U-Haul. Watching him Tetris everything in is impressive. I am so grateful for his support through all chapters of my life, but especially when it comes time to move.
Talha Khaf
Too much of anything is bad for you. Told me that when I was a toddler and it stuck ever since.
Lisa Renze
Free Press Indiana managing editor of partnerships and special projects
Father’s Day falls just days after the anniversary of my dad’s death. Loss is universal, but grief is unique, and that’s true among my three siblings and me, who had to bury Dad on that June day half a decade ago.
Our dad was a single parent for most of his life. Our mom, his wife, died at the age of 45, so that left Dad with a job he never imagined having to do alone.
Because of what we saw him do every day, our dad taught us the value of rebuilding. We learned how to pick ourselves up and find new joy and opportunity, and if we couldn’t find it, we made it — together.
The four of us siblings have an indelible bond. We are earth, wind, fire and water; Dorothy, the Tinman, Lion and Scarecrow. Our dad taught us that family comes first and family is forever; it’s a lesson we live through our love.
Peter Blanchard
Mirror Indy local government reporter
Advice from Papa Blanch: “Careers are overrated. Don’t feel like you need to stay on a career path just because it’s what you went to school for, or it’s what you were told you should do. It’s never too late to try something new, especially if you’re unhappy where you are now.”
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