Memories of My Favorite 'Dad'

Friday isn't a joyful anniversary, but it's one that I've had on my mind all week. It marks the one year anniversary of Steve Botens' passing. Things have happened this year that he'd be extremely proud of...his daughter Robin became a clinical supervisor at her work and passed her licensing exams, Trina got married, Beavers baseball won the national championship and the football team pulled their heads out of their butts and managed to get back into the polls and the respect of Beaver Nation...well, maybe he had something to do with that.

Even though we've spent a year without him, I know he isn't out of the loop. I like to think that he is keeping track of us from where ever he is, that he has the best 50 yard line season tickets to Beaver's football games, hits every Blues Festival across the US, and that he's up in Heaven playing ally oop with our buddy Greg who's up there too (something they loved to do). He's showed up in my dreams a few times in the past year, and it's always a nice surprise...sadly interrupted when I wake up again.

I am very proud of Robin this year. I can't speak for her, but I know it's been a hell of a year. Anyone who knew these two together could clearly see that they were meant to be together, soulmates in the form of a father and daughter. Robin definitely has a stellar guardian angel now.

I've thought about it a lot over the past year and have decided that whenever I get married (one day, hmmm), I am going to walk part of the aisle by myself to represent Steve. Yes, I know my own dad now, but Steve was my dad for most of my life...actually, I still say he is, but my bio dad earns credit now too.

This is getting long, but writing this is what makes me celebrate his life instead of moping all week. I went over what I read at his memorial service last year (Thanks Robin for forcing me up there to read...I would have regretted it if I hadn't), and wanted to post it...

Thank you...for taking me to my first Beavers football game, on my first camping trip, with a caravan of 14 other kids to see Tom Petty, and every movie we saw in high school before, and even after, we got cars (just because you were that cool).

Thank you...for making me my own pumpkin pie every Thanksgiving, breakfast in bed complete with syrup on the side, and a wide array of dinners that only people like you and I with huge appetites could appreciate.

Thank you...for giving me a safe place to live for a year in high school, a safe place to be all those other years, and for allowing the jungle of high school and college kids to hang out at your house all the time. I will always remember your laugh that could be heard from miles away, the weekend adventures, the kindness and patience. You gave me an extra sister, a feeling of family, and too many great experiences and memories to count. You were the dad I needed, the security blanket I always wished for. Thank you for being my "dad." I will never forget you. Know you are missed. I will always love you.

Thanks for reading. Steve was someone who it would be impossible to forget, and I was very fortunate to have him in my life.