D is for Dad

Not a normal dad. My pops, Steve, is anything but that.

Dad celebrating his daughter's MA graduation. Try explaining this one to your thesis advisor.
I know i've posted this photo before, but I think it sums up the man who gave me 50% of my genes better than anything else.

I am my dad in my moms look-alike body. We have the same goofy sense of humor, the same logical smarts that drive people crazy, and the same diehard love for our athletic teams (ahem, GIANTS BABY).

Pops was born in Madera, CA and grew up working at his parents lumber yard, only to become the first person at Madera High School to play on the Football team and in the Band (his proclimation, not mine). He then attended UCSB for two years and watched them burn down the Bank of America building in IV, then transfered to Cal because UCSB wasn't political enough (I'm making that last part up)

Dad before the Big Game, 2004
He then attended Law School at UC Davis (and is consequently today UCD's biggest football fan), and then received his Masters in Tax at NYU. He returned to Fresno and started practicing law, had the great idea to have a brilliant daughter like myself, and life took off from there.

My parents are divorced, so I didn't have the "traditional" experience growing up. But we've always been close - and he's supported us in the best way he could have. The words "you're a smart girl, I trust your decisions" will always be what I remember about him through the years.

But one of the greatest, most inspiring things about dad is how he truly cares about people and for a lawyer to do that, it's amazing. He's made himself quite a living, but his legacy is apparent to me every day when I meet people, and they ask if I'm Steve's daugher, then go on and on about what a great man he is.



Yup. I am very proud to be my fathers daughter.