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Hi my friends,

Do you remember career day when you were a little kid in elementary school?  Parents would come in and share what their job was, almost like a day of show and tell.  I remember when the teacher would ask the kids in my class what they wanted to be when they grew up, most of the kids quite often would answer the profession of their mom or dad.  While most of my friends wanted to be fire fighters, doctors, or athletes like their dads, I remember just wanting to be like my dad, not a PHD chemical engineer, but just to be a dad. Last year, on June 5^th, my dreams came true with the birth of my first child… Olive Madonna Grimes, our little OMG.  (My mom’s baptism name is Madonna).

1973: my mom and dad coming home from the hospital with me. (Look at my mom working that Beehive). 

Being a Dad has been a life-long dream of mine since I can remember.  I was blessed with an amazing set of parents; one where my mom was able to stay at home with the 5 kids while my father went to work. My dad always made it a priority to be hands on.  He coached all of our little league teams, reviewed homework with us each night (painful for those of us who didn’t like math), and on weekends would load up our old Volkswagen van after our little leagues and spend the day at the beach with us.  My childhood memories were a combination of Mark Twain adventures along with the family hilarities of the Griswalds. 

My Dad & I when I was around 8 years old.

Can you spot me in this family photo?  My Grandma up front is now 101 years old

I told you we were the local Griswald family, here’s my mom on the left with one of her best friends dressed for Thanksgiving… you should see our other holiday pics…

Here my family is when we went to visit my oldest brother who was living in Europe…. I promise you it was just like ‘European Vacation’…would you look at all of our faces… looks like we saw a ghost.. I still laugh at this photo…

Of course my dad had a karaoke machine, what would Christmas be without him attempting to sing…. 

When I think about it, not much has changed since my childhood adventures.  My Mark Twain adventures are now JAI jewelry explorations.  The opportunity to travel throughout S.E Asia and experience the daily lives of the artisan has introduced me to a whole new world of adventure and family traditions.  The parent’s Griswald style holidays of the past that I grew up (and still happen today) are now happening with my own family.  Poor Olive…..

My dad actually won a ‘Father of the Year’ contest that we entered him in which he had no idea about….my oldest brother and mom are not pictured as they were traveling together

I don’t know about father of the year, but she will laugh a lot….

This Father’s day, I wanted to share not only my dream of becoming a dad with each of you, but also my inspiration… my Dad.  He grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his sister and parents.  He grew up in a very strict household and in a time where I think kids were seen but not heard if you know what I mean.  My Dad had a great relationship with his parents and shared an enormous amount of love and respect for them. My Grandfather passed when I was just 2 years old, but when I ask my Dad about him, he tells me what a kind, gentle man he was.  The words he uses to describe him are much the same that   I use to describe my dad. 

Here’s my dad in his teenage years, a shame you can’t see his pretty blues….

My dad has always been a man of principle who taught me by example.  He was and still is one of the most intelligent and caring men I have ever met.  As I start down my path of fatherhood, I hope to be the same example of love and guidance to Olive that my father was and continues to be with me.  

My dad and I at my college graduation from University of Florida… yes, I used to have lots of hair… ha ha

My dad with Olive

I want to wish my Dad along with all the other Dads out there (biological or chosen) a big Happy Father’s Day.  Please enjoy each other this weekend and for many more to come.

Safe Travels / Scott