Nick's Notes: My dad never

My dad never taught me to throw a baseball. We went on bike rides and once ran a mile together to

practice for the dreaded mile test in elementary school gym class. I haven't seen him run since then.

My dad never paid more than 15 dollars a ticket for a professional sports game. I consider spending anything over that price overpaying.

My dad never yelled at me for failing on the sports field, even after I let in eight goals during my first game playing goalie for my high school soccer team. Learning from your mistakes is more important than committing them.

My dad never left a ski race before I finished, even the time I came in dead last. Life requires patience.

My dad never said no to my youthful forays into wrestling and football, even though they weren't really his cup of tea. You just need to let people do their thing, even if you don't agree with it.

My dad has never made it through watching a sports game in the last decade without falling asleep at least once on the couch. "Resting my eyes" has become a regular part of my television viewing.

My dad never pressured me to do well in sports. Working hard and following through with my commitments was more important than success, even if I did have to suffer through being goalie.

My dad was never the high school quarterback. I was never one either, and I'm completely okay with it.

My dad never discussed sporting x's and o's with me. We discuss NPR.

My dad never taught me drills of any sort. He taught me how to kick back and relax with the newspaper on the deck.

My dad never forgot the importance of preparation, which means setting the coffee machine up the night before.

My dad never passed an opportunity to develop a friendship. He's been invited to all of my college friends' weddings.

My dad never lost touch with the friends he's made. He still regularly meets with friends he made in kindergarten.

My dad never threw away his old suits. I wore his baby-blue wedding suit from 1975 to prom.

My dad never lost his sense of adventure. He and mom will be heading on their sixth international trip in the past few years in a few weeks.

My dad will never be the sports dad, the tough dad, the dad who can fix anything, or the stoic-loner dad. He's the adventurous dad who always makes time for coffee, a beer or a phone call. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Fathers Day, Dad.