Father Knows Best

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary."
~ Margaret Cousins

My dad gets pretty excited when I even mention that I might want to get a different car.  I had the thought a few months ago....and I would get a phone call every now and then that went like this... "So I found this SUV at such and such place.... and I talked to the salesman and I think you should go look at it."  And this was before I even decided FOR SURE that I wanted to trade in my car!!!!

So I am sure you can only imagine the reaction when I decided again that I was thinking about trading my car in just a few weeks ago.  My dad went to about 4 different car places, found a few that I might like, then spent a Saturday afternoon with me in the freezing cold going from place to place just looking - JUST LOOKING! 

We narrowed it down to 4 different cars - at 4 different dealerships.  My dad spent an afternoon while I was at work getting the prices at each place, figuring out how much they will take for my car.... etc etc.  Then he brought the numbers back to me so I could make a decision.  (I hadn't even decided for sure yet if I wanted to get a different car at all!!)

One dealership was offering me the best deal...so we went back there just to look again.  By now, I decided this would be in my best interest...and NOW came the hardest part....which color!?!?!

So my dad asked the salesman to line up 4 cars in a row for me to look at - all different colors (both interior and exterior). 

It is quite a process...this whole car buying thing.  I am glad I don't have to do it very often!  I did decide on one and I just picked it up on Saturday.  I love it!

Today's Starfish

I am blessed to have a father who is willing to do the heavy lifting for me (in most aspects of my life - not just car buying!)  One thing I have learned about the relationship with my dad is that everyone shows love in different ways.   We have a very unique relationship.  Some dads help you with your homework and tuck you into bed.  Some dads are non - existent and maybe send you a card on your birthday.  Some dads offer advice on every single aspect of your life. 

MY dad makes sure I don't get screwed over by a salesman, picks me up for doctor appointments so I don't have to drive by myself, calls me just to say hi, let's me have a drink of his Coca Cola in his pick-up truck and makes sure all my paperwork is in order for my insurance, registration and all that other stuff :)

I love MY dad.  I don't have enough words to even begin to thank him for everything he has done to make my life better.  But I hope a little hand-made thank you card in the mail will make him smile.

I'm also going to send the salesman at the car dealership a thank you this week - for being patient with me while I chose which color I wanted and for making the process as painless as possible for me!