Some of these I’m still working on, just as I’m sure he was at my age. I’m not perfect, but sometimes I think he’s a lot closer than I am.

My dad is the smartest guy I know. I think a lot of kids say that, but probably by the time they’re adults, they don’t really believe that anymore. I still do. He is still the smartest guy I know. Word games with my Dad? Unbearable. He can solve a crossword quicker than any man on the planet (probably) and historical trivia? Forget it. He’s won before we’ve started.

The judgment in his eyes when I don’t remember some fact about World War II is almost too much to bear, but also, really helps me learn because I do not want to see the judgment on his face when I forget the fact twice.

You wouldn’t, either, if you could see it.

He’s just smart. He’s wise, maybe, and maybe he’s been trying to pass some of that down to me. Or maybe it just kind of happened.

Since father’s day was yesterday, I thought I’d compile a short list of the best things my father has taught me.

1. Work hard, no matter what you’re doing. Don’t give a weak effort. Don’t give up. My dad hasn’t gone a day in his life without working hard, without caring and trying at what he’s doing. He’s had the same job since his early 20s, and he’s worked so hard and done so well that he’s constantly moved up the ladder. I want to be like that. I want to try. I want to work hard and give it my all without asking for things in return, no matter what I’m working at.

2. Be humble. Don’t do things for attention from other people. Don’t do things to show off. Do them because it’s right, do them because it’s for someone else, and do it quietly and without asking for a thanks in return. Don’t even mention that you’ve done it. This is my dad on a daily basis. I probably don’t know half of the things he’s done for other people just because they asked, or even when they haven’t, because it’s right and it benefits the other person. He just does it. I don’t know if he even thinks about it anymore; it’s just who he is – it’s just important to be selfless and caring.

3. God is real, God is important – go to church. We went to church every Sunday growing up, and we still do. Missing church is frowned upon, and so is wearing athletic shorts and flip flops (maybe it’s wrong, but my father and I get a kick out of wrinkling our brows and shaking our heads at improperly dressed kids and their parents who allow them to dress that way Sunday mornings). God is to be respected and honored. Shake the priests hand on your way out. Bow your head when you’re supposed to, stand up when you’re supposed to, follow along, sing along, be respectful and quiet. This is the foundation of my faith in Christ, that bore the relationship I now have with him, because my household has always had a strong, God-fearing man at its head.

4. It really, honestly, seriously does not matter at all what other people think of you. Don’t worry about it, don’t live your life or make decisions based on it, don’t think about it at all. Those people don’t matter. You matter. God matters. We don’t care what other people think. We’re not them. We’re not in their heads, thinking those thoughts; if they’re spending their time thinking about us negatively, then that’s honestly their problem, never ours.

I’m not 100% like my dad. I’ve got some of my mom’s finer qualities inside of me, but I’m more like my father than anyone else. We rarely disagree with our opinions, we laugh at the same things, and we care about a lot of the same things. I’m really proud of that. I’m proud to be like my father. He’s just a really solid guy.

So thanks, Big Man. I owe you one.