Today is my Dad’s 80th birthday. I can’t tell you how very glad I am that he is still here to celebrate with us – so many of our friends don’t have their parents around anymore, and Paul and I are fortunate enough to have both our Moms and our Dads around to share good times with.
My aunts still tell the tale of how Dad was so very protective of me – his first child – when I was born. He insisted that everyone who wanted to hold me do so while I was on a pillow.
The Infamous "Pillow"
He didn’t want me to get hurt – and all these years later, he is still watching over me.
We’ve shared lots of good times together – for instance, he always stayed up with me whenever I couldn’t get to sleep:
Oh, I'm sorry - do you have to go to work in the morning?
He taught me how to fix things:
Ya want me to hand you a wrench or somethin'?
He made sure that I got plenty to eat:
Mmmmm - Ice Cream!
He always engaged me in intelligent conversation:
Actually, I prefer Plato to Aristotle, but everyone's entitled to their own opinion....
He made sure that my clothes were always stylin’:
Baby got a new pair of shoes!
He taught me the importance of getting enough sleep:
Catchin' some Zzzzz's
He taught me how to read:
Ummmm.....are you done with that?
But most of all, he made me laugh:
You crack me up!
I had him all to myself for almost 2 years – when my little sister came along, he had his hands full:
We made a deal - I'm going to keep you up until midnight, she's gonna wake you up at 2:00 and 4:00, and then I'm gonna get up at 6:00....
Thanks for all of the great memories, Dad!
Happy Birthday – I hope that you have a wonderful day; I’m sorry we can’t be there to celebrate with you and Mom.
I love you very, very much ♥♥♥
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(Many of these pictures were taken when Mom and Dad lived in an un-air-conditioned house in HOT Fort Worth, Texas – we ALL wore as little clothing as possible, just to stay cool!)
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Koch's Tour 
My dad is also 80, and spry as a 30 year old. He makes me tired.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERESA’S DAD!!! 😀
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Your pics are moving, TiFW. Makes me realize what I’ve missed in my childless bachelorhood. Happy birthday, Teresa’s Dad. You’ve got a really swell daughter. You should be proud, and I’m sure you are. Here’s to as many more birthdays as you want! 😀
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Awesome post, moving pictures! I hope my dad lives as long…
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Happy BIrthday Uncle Lowell-love you!
(The first picture was taken at our house in Nederland-there’s a picture of you and me on that desk taken at the same time!)
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Oh, I know – I’ve got copies of those pics in an album at my house. Those are some of my favorite pictures (with some of my favorite cousins)!
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Loved the blog. As I told you when you called this afternoon, we thoroughly enjoy remembering all of those pictures and the places where they were taken.
Thanks for such a wonderful tribute to your Dad. He is pretty special.
Love to you,
Mom
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I’m so glad he enjoyed it – I was afraid he wouldn’t like all of those “revealing” photos!
Of course, I told all of my friends that they would get to see me topless….. 😛
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Belated Happy Birthday Dad!
Wonderful photos, Tiff.
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Most excellent tribute to your Dad. I loved the pics and captions.
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