Dad.. The Great & Powerful..!
Is there a better ‘story teller’ than Dad?
I’ve been the strongest man on earth in my tribe’s eyes on more than one occasion. Telling the story of my ‘amazing strength’ was always better than the moment it actually happened- nothing wrong with revisionist’s history favoring me…
Dads are revered for whom they once were and for who they are now, things are funny that way.
This story begins with 14 y/o Tommy deciding he wants to wrestle rather than play soccer his sophomore year.
I take the moment to hype him up and tell him how much fun Wrestling is and then chop him down a little immediately after.
“You’re a year behind though now. Gotta build up some strength leading up to next year. Start knocking out some push-ups every night.”
Naturally, it’s well known by this point in Tommy’s life that Dad used to have the strength of 10 men and the body of a God- so dad must know what he’s talking about..!
Between rounds of the Lomachenko fight, Tommy crushes 25 push-ups each time till he can’t take it anymore. Finishes with 145 total reps!!
Right on queue I pipe in, “I remember when I used to knock out sets of 60 diamond push-ups..”
The trick is to deliver this line like it’s no big deal today. Tommy’s head whipped around looking at me in disbelief!! LOL!!
The next night I remind Tommy to get his push-ups in. Noodle armed, his attempts to start end in a face plant into the carpet on his first rep.
Savannah (4 y/o) can’t let the moment pass without getting to shine a little and decides to get on Tommy’s back for a push up!
Now, the Dad moment happens…. “I used to do push-ups with your mom on my back!”
“THEN LETS SEE YOU DO IT NOW!” says the know it all laying on his face..
All in good fun, I try backing out of it. At this point the whole family is against me and they’ve whittled me down to “just try with Savannah on your back.”
Now the Dad Legend grows. .
Laying in the hallway with a 4y/o little girl LAUGHING like a lunatic straddling my back, the whole family looking. My Pride at stake and even more, the lasting implications of if I can’t get these push-ups done were all weighing even heavier than the ‘extra baggage’ that was trying to tickle my armpits…
BOOM! Knock out 2 push-ups! The crowd goes ever so silent and I’m feeling good.
“Bring Miles over here..” at this point we’re all thinking it, Savannah is just a lil girl- no big deal.
Miles (6 y/o) stumbles over, ready for his turn on the carnival ride. Lays on my back and uses my head as a pillow. I can feel the extra weight he brings compared to Vannah and before doubt sets in…
BOOM! 2 more push-ups!!!!
Now the Dad Legend isn’t a bluff!
On my back he goes and real doubt sets in.. I look up and saw the hope in My Wife’s eyes and I could see the amusement in both the little ones…
My first rep starts and I hear the amazement in my mini-me's voice on the upswing of the first push up. I only have a solid 2 push-ups in me but I gotta deliver them like I could’ve done more!
My small show of strength done and I’d accomplished all that I wanted and more..
I gave my stories credibility! lol!
4 days later and I’m still paying for the 6 total push-ups…
