My dad used to cook breakfast for me when I was a kid, and the pancakes were huge, but whatever he cooked, there was usually a little baloney in there – and I'm not talking about sandwich meat.
As he cooked, my father would indulge in stories about his time in the military and the weird adventures his brothers and I had when we were younger. With exaggeration and embellishment, like syrup and butter on pancakes, these stories would grow to Paul Bunyan proportions.
I would later learn that my dad's tall tales were told mostly to entertain me, the child gazing at him from the table. But it was also a form of bonding. My dad was never one to share his inner thoughts, but he always thrived in social situations, and even just talking over a meal was the most natural thing in the world, opening the door to better father-son moments.
My father shared best when a third party was involved, and food often filled that role.
Father's Day is this weekend, and while it's not celebrated with the same gusto as Mother's Day, and the holiday brunches and dinners aren't as obligatory, it's natural to think about dads as the day approaches and the rituals you share with them.
In my experience, quality time spent with my dad was less about where we went and more about what we did. The restaurant didn't really matter; it was the practical work of cooking a special meal together that felt right.
If your dad is at his best over the smoker, grill, or seafood boiler, let him do that. Use your own experience with his cooking to help or supervise from a safe distance. The important thing is to be there when he's relaxed and doing what he does best.
And if your dad is anything like my dad, you probably shouldn't believe every story that comes your way at a time like this, but over time you'll probably start to savor them.
