Bonus: What I (May Have) Learned From a Former Girlfriend’s Father
If you're new around these parts, I just want to say how much I appreciate your dropping by! Oh, and you may want to subscribe to my feed. Thanks, and a tip o' the hat to ya!
[NOTE FROM THE PROPRIETOR: Still haven’t written your entry in this month’s What I Learned From… project? Shame on you! But don’t worry – you still have plenty of time to get one posted and send me the link; entries will be accepted through Sunday night, August 12! I’ve already gotten several good ones. Remember, all entries will be posted on Monday, August 13.]
To tell you the truth, I think I know the answer… but I’m not sure. The reason I’m not sure is that I don’t have kids. But, I’m pretty sure I know what I would do if it were me. Yeah, um… pretty sure.
Let me explain…
‘Waaaaay back in high school, a girl I was seeing told me about an incident that happened while she was dating the boyfriend she had just prior to when I came along. Nothing traumatic, mind you, but it was kinda funny.
One fine day, said boyfriend came over to visit her at home. Her father, who was busily cleaning his pistol, heard the doorbell, got up and went to the door, still absent-mindedly holding it in his hands. Upon opening the door and inviting him in, for some reason the hapless fellow seemed a bit, uh, reluctant. About then her father noticed the pistol still in his hand…
Well, to sum the whole thing up in her own words: “For some reason, I never saw him again!”
Now, I can readily imagine this to be an urban legend, except it was her saying it, so of course I had no reason to believe it wasn’t true. Besides, I’d met her father and he was a bit absent-minded sometimes. But I must admit… it did make me think.
Well, the years have come and gone, and even though I was at her wedding, it wasn’t me at the altar with her. (For which I am grateful, by the way, because of the incredible woman I did eventually marry!) But, I have thought occasionally about that incident and wondered…
Was her father sending a not-so-subtle message to the boy (and by the way, his daughter, too)? Did he actually do it on purpose? Or was it really just one of those unplanned things that leave a lasting impression anyway?
As I said at the beginning, I’m pretty sure time has provided my answer to these questions. I mean, even though I’ve never had a daughter of my own, if I did, I would certainly want the boys she dates to know I was serious about her well-being. And depending on the boy, well, you never know – a good sharp lesson might be just the ticket to get the point across. (Not that I’d use a gun, mind you; but there are plenty of creative ways to accomplish the same thing.)
But still, I have to wonder…
You fathers out there – what do you think?
You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!
5 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
As a father of 3 daughters with one left to marry, I have always enjoyed watching “Uncle Buck” with possible suitors. I know they enjoyed the chance to bond with me as well.
[Buck's beat-up old car pulls up]
Bug: Ever hear of a tune-up? Hee hee hee hee hee.
Buck: Ah, heh heh heh. Ever hear of a ritual killing? Ah, heh heh heh heh heh
Bug: I don’t get it.
Buck: You gnaw on her face in public like that again and you’ll be one. Ah, heh heh heh heh!
My girlfriend’s father is… well, he’s okay, and I’m told he’s not really serious… but the first thing he told her when he found out about me was, “Make sure he knows I have a shotgun, a shovel, and a couple acres of land.” Now, he didn’t actually have a shotgun, but he has recently taken up the “sport” of pistol shooting. In fact, the last time I visited her, he took us pistol shooting. Combination of bonding plus intimidation (he’s a much better shot than me.) I’ll have to take him to an archery range some time and prove I’m not helpless…
I mean, I understand where he’s coming from, and I’m sure if I have daughters I’ll be using similar tactics, but I’ve been dating his daughter for a year and a half now. I think if I was going to pull something where he’d need a gun it would’ve happened by now. Dirtbags aren’t this patient.
Mike: Yeah, if I had daughters like you do, Uncle Buck would be my hero!
Sam: My father-in-law used to make sure I always knew he “had a baseball bat” just in case. I would always reply that he had to outrun me first! Hang in there, Sam! If she’s the one, it will be worth it!
My dad used to tell me (from the time I was a toddler!) that any guy interested in me would be shot on sight. As he had two rifles, I was pretty sure he was serious until I was a teenager! Even then, I was too nervous to date anyone . . . at least anyone he knew about!
Genesis, it sounds like a plan to me!
So, how DID you end up where you are?