My dad is one cool dude. His name is Benjamin Meyer. I think he was born in Idaho Falls, ID on January 15. He has always been the silent- but there type. If I needed anything and asked he would help. My parents divorced when I was 13. We stayed primarily with my dad. Its interesting- I later learned that the majority of kids from a split family went with their mother. I gained a greater respect for my father after the divorce. I had to rely more on him for support and when given the chance to be there, he was. He cared for his girls deeply, and wanted nothing but the best for us. He let us make our decisions- good or bad. And he let us pay the consequences- good or bad.
When I got my drivers licence I had a new found freedom and loved the speed. I got pulled over multiple times and got my licence suspended for having to many tickets. It was only for a month but that was a long time because I had sports and school (I drove to school). It would have been easier for him to allow me to drive without a licence but he absolutely did not let me. I resented him for that at the time and made life hard, but looking back I respect him for it. He did the right thing, upheld the law and showed value in it. In turn I do too.
He loves his family and makes an effort to come around. This picture is him with Blake.
I always thought my dad was a little nerdy... okay, a lot nerdy. He has a different personality. But I find value and uniqueness in it. When I was in collage I took a class and became scuba certified. He and I would go diving together a few times a year, and he always had friends who enjoyed his company and had a good time with him. We went every year to Blue Lakes, Nevada to dive. It was over Memorial weekend and for 5 days in the middle of no where. No toilet, running water, electricity... nothing. It was a time for us to have a good time camping and bond and play together. We would go with a group of divers who he was good friends with. Watching him in that social setting was fun.
Our truck LOADED and ready to go to Blue Lakes.
He always wanted the best for me. Talked to be about school and found interest in my interests. When I was a teenager and the youngest, I didnt have much to do and wasnt to active, physically. He and I would go rollerblading around the greenbelt or go mountain biking in Freeman park. He would take me to do laps at the swimming pool (which I loved) with him. I later went onto swim in a league and excelled. I am grateful for this because I learned to enjoy being active.
Some of my favorite memories of him are of camping and skiing/snowboarding. He loves to be outside. I can remember being really young 6, 7, 8 and we would go camping. It couldn't have been easy with 5 young kids but we did it anyway. I loved the campfires, and bike riding, sleeping in the sleeping bags. We were camping in Yellowstone and it was super early in the morning. He woke us all up and told us not to move or make any noise until he told us to. There was a big moose that wandered into our campsite and was right next to our tent. We would fish and he and Liz would clean the fish- I hated that part. I love those memories and will treasure them forever. Brad and I both love to camp and I hope my children have the same great memories I had.
I love you dad.
