The stereotypical "hands-off dad" is so unfortunate. I would put my dad in this category. Not because he didn't love us, but because he kept a frequent travel schedule that left little time for dress up and tea parties. He wasn't sure what to do with me and Nick, besides take care of the "wait until your father gets home" discipline my mother stigmatized him with.
I was flying from Tallahassee, FL to Charlotte, NC Tuesday evening. This was my 8th of 10 flights in 9 days. I had lost all my pleasantness - and patience. But leave it to a five year old boy sitting behind me to cause a pause.
The five year old boy was traveling with his dad and 14-month old brother. (I know the ages because someone asked, in case you were wondering, ok?) The fact that the little boy was the smartest, most humorous five year old I have ever listened to goes without saying. But the dialog he had with his dad was what got me.
It was obvious the 14-month old wasn't accustom to flying. He was a little squirmy and had a good set of lungs on him. The dad was incredibly patient. Answering every question the five year old had - about the ground below us, why we could drive our own car to the gate because it was taking so long, what all the noises were, why he couldn't hold onto the boarding passes for the next flight...
The dad was kind. And praised his son. Just as I was thinking I would have been the mom about to pull out her hair, telling the older boy to be quiet, shoving a passie in the younger one's mouth and heavily sighing, I realized Bo would be that dad behind me, in this moment, patiently and calmly attending to both children. I married someone who will be the perfect dad.
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