Happy Father's Day, Dad

Dad -- I know we've had our differences, sometimes for years at a time. Funny how I wound up with a lot of the same traits as you -- self-assuredness, stubbornness, independence, extreme rationality -- and when we butted heads those qualities made for some pretty intense disagreements. But you did pass on many other aspects of my character too: a love of reading and literature, an appreciation for hard work, and a closeness to nature.

Heck, you even instilled in me the discerning and argumentative nature that, while now occasionally infuriating to Lynn, carried me through my English and philosophy degree and stands me in good stead today in my career.

And as I have become a husband to Lynn and a father (of sorts) to our cat Spook, I have a much better understanding of the pressures and stresses that face any man -- and a better understanding of you, an understanding that I was never able to achieve as a child, teenager, or student. So, as your third and final son, I say, thank you, Dad. I love you.