Father's phrases... that you only now understand
Dear Dad:
When I was a kid… everything that came out of your mouth sounded like a joke or nonsense to me… as if we spoke different languages.
Only with the weight of the years have I realized that behind those "dad" phrases, there was tremendous psychology, history, and wisdom.
And that's why we're here today to acknowledge it to you.
1. When you become a father, you will eat eggs
Back then, that phrase felt like a kick in the teeth. 🍭. Some, as a form of revenge, are eating the entire fridge today (meat, milk, and eggs)... but more or less everyone has learned that some things are more enjoyable and satisfying if they are obtained with patience and care.
2. Because I'm your father/ because I say so… and that's it!
Setting limits for yourself... gave you clues that your future self could become like Shakira and Karol G, triple M: better, tougher, and more level. Now you've taken note. ✍️ It feels so #FuckingGood to set boundaries, say #notworthit and defend your opinions, no matter who it bothers.
3. Where are you going dressed like that?
What if that was born here? routine of checking that you've done a tempting before leaving home?
Even though it might seem like you and your dad have swapped wardrobes (now you value "vintage" and he embraces Decathlon tracksuits), in his mind you'll always look like a delinquent... 😏
4. I'm just going to count to three and…
Not even the Mario Kart countdown caused you this much anxiety. But if you had to count how many times you've counted to three in your head... to avoid committing a crime against public order …your old man would be proud.
5. At your age I was already working/had a house/supported my family/…
We, at our parents' age and beyond, will still make a big deal out of it every time we have to file our taxes.
But if your dad is happy serenading you with the ballad of providing for the family... well, son, One a year won't hurt.
6. At your age I spent all day playing in the street/Do you think this is a hotel where you only come to sleep and eat?
It was all full of confusing and contradictory messages: when you were glued to Messenger… it told you to log out… and when you logged out, it told you to come back again. To come back again…
If this hasn't shown you that virtue lies in the middle ground (some days you'll be the one closing the office, other days the one closing the after-party... neither for you nor for me), we don't know what will.
Okay, it was a shame not to find Casper's house or He-Man's Starship Eternia in Three Kings Day or that they wouldn't buy you a Kinder Egg every time you felt like it…
But that's how your father taught you to be the accountant of your house, that it's more important to provide for the family than an army of Funko Pops And that, no matter how chilly it is, having the heating on full blast to walk around in your underwear in your hotel room ends up being expensive at the end of the month.
7 Do you think money grows on trees?/Do you think I'm a cashier?
Okay, it was a bummer not finding Casper's house or He-Man's Starship Eternia on Three Kings' Day, or not getting a Kinder Surprise egg every time you felt like it…
But that's how your father taught you to be the accountant of your house, that it's more important to support the family than an army of Funko Pops, and that, no matter how chilly it is, having the heating on full blast to walk around in your underwear in your kelly is expensive at the end of the month.
8. When you have your own house you can do whatever you want, but while you live under my roof you will follow my rules
We received those words as a life sentence. And now… say you can get out of jail, but going back to your mom and dad's on Sundays to eat lentils because you can't get the hang of the pressure cooker… no way.
9. Son, how's everything? Is everything good? Come on, I'll put your mother on.
Those 'ok' responses to a 5-minute WhatsApp audio message. The monosyllabic replies or the 'what you need to do is stop all this nonsense and xx' when your head was on a full-blown emotional rollercoaster.
Intermittent reinforcements, hugs in dribs and drabs, and excessive demands… all so that you could have a better future than theirs.
10. Someday you'll thank me for it
Well… say YES, Dad
Thank you to all the dads who did everything they could and more… out of pure love. Perhaps without today's tools for empathy, for active listening, for seeing us as we needed to be seen… or simply for showing all that love they kept inside, as if it were going to run out or lose its value.
But always, always, always… full of love. ❤️🔥
P.S: And what if, when you go to see your father to celebrate, he tells you that you look more alike every year…
🎁 Treat yourself to a big gift (or a big self-gift, you'll know who needs it most). 😜) for the face with Wowyoung, our pro-aging cream with retinol for those who want to feel like real hotties... without being called sir in the street.
ANTI-WRINKLE NIGHT CREAM-GEL WITH RETINOL
Minimizes wrinkles, fine lines, and helps with blemishes.
We do cool right,
Siwon
