The feeling of nice shoes

The meaning behind a Dad has always been an unknown to me, but I've become much more curious to understand the depth behind the relationship one has with their father.

I watch all Dads with interest. I think I've always done it, but only become aware of the need to define unknown feelings in the past year. I am especially attuned to the men I know and their role in life as their child's parent. Having the context of him in one realm or another makes his role as a father more meaningful.

I often wish I could sit and watch interactions between a dad and his child (without coming off like a stalker). It feels like I am person wandering a foreign city and culture for the first time. I like to see how a dad looks at his child and how they look back at him.

I wonder.
What they talk about.
What they do together.
How they feel.
Why they respect each other.
How they touch each other.
How they learn about each other.
Why they love each other.

I wonder if the relationship with your father feels like slipping your feet into your shoes (especially after touring someone else's shoes). I think your father is supposed to know you like your toes know every single contour of your favorite pair.

I watched as my friend's near adult daughter crawled up in a ball next to him on the couch as he put his arm around her. I listened to my boss and his daughter at a coffee shop and couldn't get through a single page of the book I faked reading. I think a man has his heart wide open when he looks at his kids. Or at least a real man will and that is how you’re supposed to tell the difference.