By Dallin Rahlf

I heard this great joke onetime:

“My son was reading hisfavorite book. He said, ‘Can I have a bookmark?’

I started weeping. He’s 12years old and still doesn’t know my name is David.”

Or how about this one?

“I was out at a restaurant,enjoying one of my favorite meals. I wasn’t able to finish all of it.

The waiter asked, ‘Do youwant a box?’

I said, ‘No. I wannawrestle.’”

LAST ONE:

“I love my furniture. Myrecliner and I go way back.”

You know what all of thesejokes have in common? Yes, they’re a little cheesy, but they were all told bymy dad. Great guy, my dad. I’m a big fan. He loves telling these jokes ALL THETIME. Seriously, that restaurant one about wanting to wrestle, he tells thatone to every single poor waiter that asks if he wants a box. It’s predictable,incredible, and makes me chuckle every time.

I’ve always been one toappreciate “dad humor”. Those lame jokes that make you roll your eyes but sneakin a laugh. It’s almost impossible not to smile when you hear the same joke forthe 1000^th time. I think it’s more the source than the actual joke.My dad tells those jokes all the time because of the guy he is. He’s funny.Goofy. Serious. Hard working. Likes to have fun. All those things you’d want ina father.

One of my favorite thingsabout dads in general is that they love to have fun. I mean, everyone likes tohave fun, but dads seem to really enjoy getting out of the house. Like a littledoggie, you know? All that pent up energy from sitting inside at a desk startsto make them itch, and there’s this fun/dorky side that gets released everyonce in a while. It’s one of my favorite things to see.

For my dad, it’s playing withLEGO. Wonder why I didn’t say LEGOs? It’s because the real way to say it isLEGO. Only a true LEGO nerd would know that. AKA my dad. It’s adorable to watchhim get really excited over a new set that he bought. Dude is like, 65 and hestill geeks out over it. It’s awesome. It’s fun to see him get really excitedwhen he gives us some LEGO sets for Christmas or birthdays. And I’m really gladhe’s confident enough to show that vulnerability to his family. He’s a smart,hard-working guy. If I didn’t know firsthand that he likes LEGO, I probablywouldn’t ever think it. It’s a fact about him that I’m really happy to know.Despite our age difference, it connects us on a unique level that we both canunderstand with each other.

Dads are like that. They maycome off intimidating or off-putting, sometimes making it look like they don’twant to have any fun in life. But I don’t believe that. I believe every dad outthere is wanting to have fun in some way, shape, or form. Dads want to havesomething fun to do outside of their normal routine. Goodness, it sounds likeI’m talking about a dog throughout this blog but it’s true! I mean, that’s howI feel too.

We have our routines. We gothrough our lives. If we don’t plan to have unique fun, we probably won’t. Andunique fun doesn’t need to be a trip to Spain or skydiving, but simplysomething other than what’s easily lying around the house.

For instance, I don’t havethat much fun playing video games anymore. It’s too easy. It’s always there. Itrequires no effort to play. Scrolling on my phone through Reddit and Instagram?That quickly gets old. But when I get to go out and do something outside of mynormal routine? It’s mind-blowing how fun simple activities are: Going outside.Going on a walk. Playing frisbee. Playing basketball. Making candles. Doingsome weird art thing at that one place down the street. Mini golf. Bowling.ANYTHING that isn’t sitting on the couch.

This Father’s Day, Ichallenge you to get your dad something that will spark that fun side to him.Plan out some simple date or family-fun nights to do something you guysnormally don’t. It may take a tiny bit more effort than scrolling on Netflixand watching that show you’ve already watched 3 times, but I’m telling you,it’s gonna be worth it.

You’ll remember those nights.You’ll both enjoy getting out of the house and forgetting what TV’s and work isfor a moment. You all deserve it.

What are you giving on Father’sDay?

P.S. Don’t get him a tie.He’s got like, 40 of those. Don’t do it.