I have known FunDad for years and years. We went to church together and he had two step-sisters that were around my age. He has a fairly uncommon last name, so when I saw his daughter's name on the first contact sheet that was sent out a few years ago, I knew they had to be someway related. As it turns out, FunDad's oldest daughter is the same age as MyGirl.
As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, you get to know the players and their families pretty well. I have truly enjoyed getting to know him again over the past few years.
FunDad passing out healthy snacks to the girls at the Clarksville Tournament.
One of the first stories that comes to mind is when we went on our first official road trip to Knoxville. Some of the parents had arrived in the early afternoon to get check in, have some dinner and relax. After getting the kids to bed, the parents circled their coolers in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn and settled in. When FunDad came to check in, I spied the dry cleaning bag hanging on his luggage cart. I said to his wife, "What's with the hanging bag? You know we're here for a soccer touranment, not a wedding!" His wife explained that those were FunDad's lightly-starched, button down shirts that he would be wearing out to the fields.
The next day, that is exactly what he wore. His hair was perfect, he smelled good and during half time and in between games, he threw footballs with the siblings and kicked around the soccer ball without getting one dab of dirt on his perfectly pressed shirt.
Love that guy.
I also remember that at one set of friendlies, our team needed to provide a linesman. He was of course up to the task. He was wearing cut-off cargos, a white button down shirt with a black fleece on top, and a black and orange fleece jester's hat with jingley bells to keep warm. I was wearing boots because it was little cold and wet, but FunDad was rocking out a pair of flip flops! Flip flops that he blew out during the game so he had to finish reffing barefooted.
I love when he's on the sideline cheering for us, with one of his many, many cowbells and his special FunDad sayings!
It wouldn't be right, if I didn't mention how much MyBoy and MyGirl love him too. MyBoy and FunDad are both practical jokers and tend to have so much fun together, that I normally have to threaten to separate them.
Well, FunDad is not having so much fun right now. He's in the hospital and he has a long road to recovery ahead of him.
I know that if I needed anything at all that he could help me with, he would. I just wish there was something more I could do for him right now.
Unfortunately, blogging is the only thing I can think of... if you have a story about FunDad you would like to share, please comment here or on my Facebook page, so that when he gets better, he will all know we were thinking of him.
Get Better Aaron! We all miss you!
