Member-only story
How My Dad Met Suzanne Somers (Not the Celebrity)
A hilarious tale of romantic rejection
My dad is, was, and forever will be my hero. Not in a saccharine sweet, sitcom dad way — I’m fully aware of his mistakes and missteps. At times, his consistent warmth transforms into bitingly gruff meanness. When I was 11, in forehead-vein throbbing anger, Dad told me I’d die alone and nobody could or would ever love me forever. Fun times.
Nevertheless, my dad’s authentic compassion and inherent hilarity surpass these unpleasant moments and make up for a smorgasbord of failures.
My dad is a gifted storyteller and can engage any audience with the retelling of his many adventures. He’s regaled me with stories of his youth at least a thousand times, but each retelling leaves me rapt.
Lately, I’ve been struggling with clarity and perspective. At times, I’m easily distracted by my current challenges and allow the slog of life to suck the color out of my day. However, I intentionally pull myself out of these moments. I get outside as often as possible, workout indoors when I can’t, remember the plethora of experiences, relationships, and material items I have and thank God for them, and, reflect on Dad’s stories.
My dad’s interaction with Suzanne Somers stands atop his legendary storytelling mountain…
