Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today is my dad's 57th birthday. Jeff Meahl is the best dad I could ever have dreamed of or asked for. Earlier, I was thinking about all the things that make my dad amazing.

My father taught me to shoot. As you probably know, this led to years and years of competition at the state and national level. He and my mom sacrificed time and money to support me as I competed in shooting sports. My dad was my biggest shooting cheerleader, and he probably remembered more of what my coach told me than I did. 

Dad and I after I won the state air pistol championship in high school

My father taught my to drive a stick shift. In fact, he insisted that I know how to drive a manual before he'd let me get my driver's license. This led to him buying me an '89 Bronco, 4 on the floor, 4x4. I had a love affair with that truck. I cried when we sold it a few years ago....

My father taught me about commitment. He has been married to my wonderful, beautiful mother for 33 years. Not only is he committed to family, he's committed to his friends and clients. When he tells someone something, he means it. When I watch others give up or back out of a commitment or difficult situation, I watch my dad stick with it.

My father has taught me about fun. Sometimes I think my dad's still a teenage boy. He can prank others like a pro, can TP a car like no other, and can build a sandcastle that would make those sand masters on TV jealous!

My father taught me to love sports. (He now admits that my brother, AJ, and I have surpassed him in sporting love and knowledge.) Now I'm a Major League Baseball addict, a Florida State girl who loves the sound of a finely tuned F1 car and the roar of a NASCAR field taking the green. Hardly a day goes by when I don't watch SportsCenter. And the Olympics.... well, let's just call that a fetish. (We'll reserve another post for that.)

Dad ready for a Rays game! He knows what's important!

My father taught me to enjoy life- to sing "Song of the South" loud and proud... and to not leave out "Sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth". ;-) He taught me to respect and love history. (Yep, we're the only family I know of that spent a month on vacation traipsing through Civil War battlefields. And enjoying it.) {Sidenote: it was actually the War between the States, not a Civil War, my dad would tell you [and he's correct]. But for all of you who know it by that name, I included the PC name.} Which leads me to another thing: my dad taught me to always be aware. Be aware of politics, be involved, know what you believe and what you want and what you're willing to stand for. But to be careful of what you want to define you.

My dad taught me to serve others. My dad serves others. Almost to a fault. I won't go into detail, because a lot of what he does is in confidence. Whether a little help is needed by someone else in our church body, or whether a nation needs help healing (such as rebuilding in Thailand after the devastating tsunami), my dad will be there. He taught children's Sunday school for years and now he's a huge part of the leadership for the youth group at church. Countless people look up to him and see him as a role model and confidant.

My dad taught me to love food. I still clearly remember my dad telling me when I was small that sugar wouldn't hurt me; that it was, in fact, good for me! Momma still rolls her eyes and sighs at the retelling of that story. He taught me to appreciate meat and to grill burgers, steaks, ribs, pork chops and chicken. 

My dad is a man's man. He can fix a truck, sew a shirt, bake cookies, and gather eggs from his chickens. I've witnessed all of it. He's the hardest worker I've ever known.

Most importantly, Daddy taught me to love God and love people. Those are the things that define a life. They define my dad's life, and I hope and pray that they define my life, too.

Proverbs 22:6 says to teach a child the way they should go, and when they grow up, they won't depart from it. I know that my parents taught me the way I should go. I hope I'm making them proud.

There's so much more I could say. I love you, Daddy! Have an extraordinary birthday. Wish I were home to celebrate with you!