"My Fabulous Father"- Honeymoon at Midnight

Honeymoon at midnight

Growing up, my father worked second shift, which for a while meant that we only saw him for long periods of time on the weekend, when Dad would try to cram in as much family time as possible. When I was around 8, though, I decided that it was time for a new plan. I’d go to bed when Mom told me to, then hide up in my room and come back downstairs after she was asleep. Dad would come home at 11 to find me waiting up for him in my jammies.

I don’t know why he never sent me back to bed right away. Maybe because he knew I wouldn’t go, or because he missed me as much as I missed him during the week. Usually we would talk a little and then watch an episode of our favorite show, “The Honeymooners.” Sometimes we would watch “Hogan’s Heroes” first, or Dad would make us a snack.

My Fab Father

One time he came home and decided to make pasta e fagioli, which blew my mind. I didn’t even realize people could cook in the middle of the night! Other times we would get out his telescope and look at the stars, trying to find satellites while everyone else on our block was fast asleep, my mom and sister included.

My late nights with Dad were a special part of my childhood. I had some of my first lessons in cooking, science and classic TV between the hours of 11 and 12:30. Even as I’m sure his brain was telling him to send his daughter to bed, his heart was always glad to see me. I learned that my dad would always be there for me no matter what, even at 11:30 on a school night. It was the best lesson of all.