Father’s Day is almost here, and let me say, I don’t think our society gives fathers enough credit. You always see the commercials on TV where the dad is left home alone with his children, the children are more than unruly and the house is a mess. The classic line from the dad: “Where is your mother?” Or what about the family sitcoms, where the father would rather go golfing than spend time with his family?

When I see these stereotypes, it tends to make me angry. Why? Because I have two wonderful fathers in my life who have done it on their own: my husband and my father.

Let’s start with my husband. When I met him, his son was just a 1-year-old still in diapers. Now he is 6 and loves to spend time at his dad’s house.

My husband is not the type of single father who takes his son on weekends as an obligation; it’s something he wants to do. We wait anxiously through the work week just see him. Anytime my husband has an extra day off work, his son is there.

My husband is always talking about how he always wants to be there for his son. He wants to help him with sports, teach him how to shave and generally be a friend as well as a father. He genuinely wants what’s best for his son.

As for taking care of the house, he is always the first one to pick up a rag, the vaccuum or to start the laundry. He even cooks for us. Kind of opposite of the stereotype, huh?

Now I want to talk about my dad for a while. Let me just say this: My dad is my hero. My mom died when I was only 13 (more than 13 years ago), and my dad has somehow managed to pick up the pieces of our family. He has been there to support not only me, but my two brothers (who are also great fathers) and my sister as well. He has had to learn how to be the mother along with the father. He always offered a shoulder to cry on after a rough breakup or a bad day in general. He even managed to help us all get through college, diplomas in hand.

Over the past few years, the respect I have for my father has grown tremendously. As a teen, I thought my dad was my enemy. Now I know that’s not true; he was only watching out for me. He has taught me to be a hard worker, to be independant and to always earn what I get. These are lessons that last a lifetime, not just some present a child loses interest in after five minutes. He’s always been there to guide me in the right direction, even if I didn’t agree at the time.

A couple of weeks ago, I had one of the happiest and most emotional moments of my life. My dad got to walk me down the aisle. I had one great father next to me and another one waiting for me at the altar. During the father-daughter dance at the reception, all I could think about was how much my dad has done for me and how he has always been there for me. It made me cry because I know I’ll never be able to give back all he’s given to me. All I can do is try to express how much it all means to me and how much I love him. I guess that’s what dads are for.

So remember as we celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday that not all stereotypes about dads are true. I have two wonderful men in my life who are living proof of that. I can only hope that when I become a mother, I can pass onto my child all that my father and husband have taught me. It’s all about love and always being there for your child, no matter what happens. That’s what I remember, and that’s what they’ll remember.

Tracy Goldizen is a copy editor for the Ottumwa Courier.