See this happy-looking guy?  You can hardly tell that he reared two girls (his “two lovely daughters,” he calls us) and has been the target of many, “but, Dad…(insert angst-ridden sigh)” comments since the mid-1980’s, many of which I now wish I could take back.

Yup that’s my dad, and he’s enjoying Fusion Pork Tenderloin (and a glass of Merlot) shortly after Father’s Day 2008.  And while moms get most of the press here on thedishblog.com, I’d like to take a cue from my own father and raise a toast to my two favorite dads, John Klimas (pictured) and Rick Corcoran.

These are two guys who are surrounded by women (wives, daughters, even female dogs) and manage to enjoy life amidst the constant chaos, chit-chat and emotion (”How do you think I got all this gray hair?,” my Dad always asks with a smile.)   A key part of that was that is that we had and continue to have dinner together as a family just about every night (admittedly easier for my family now than for my father, since Rick is one of my founding partners of Let’s Dish! Mid-Atlantic).  Family dinner maintains a connection to each other and everyday life, one that gets harder and harder as it all grows more hectic.  It’s not surprising, but there is no substitute for that time to talk, laugh, even “but Dad…(sigh)” at the dinner table.  I cherished those moments, Dad, and look forward to many more, Rick.  Cheers…my love to you both this Father’s Day.

“J,” as my daughters call their grandfather, has a tradition of “Question Time” at dinner every - and I mean every - night.  And, despite my groans as a I child, I now see the wisdom in his ways and carry on the practice at our family dinners.  So, in the spirit of that tradition, I’ll ask and answer: “Name three ways you can toast your Dad this season.”

1) Sign up to dish with him - you’ll love spending some side-by-side time and be surprised to find out, even now, little dietary quirks. (One man in my life can’t stand broccoli; the other abhors mayonnaise.)

2) Why not send him Let’s Dish! Gift Card?  If he’s a “do-it-my-own-way” kind of guy, your gift is much more nurturing than, say, another Amazon or Home Depot card - and you know he’ll get to choose the meals he wants to enjoy.

3)  Perhaps even better, you can spoil your Dad long-distance if you order some meals via DishDelivery (we send them anywhere from NY to NC).  It’s a great way to say, “thanks dad… tonight, I’ll take care of dinner,” even if you can’t celebrate Fathers Day together this year.

How’s that, Dad?  Did I get it right - Rick, do I get to have dessert? 

Happy Father’s Day to all you deserving fathers out there!

p.s. I’m going to get in big trouble for leaving out my father-in-law, so Rick Sr, will you accept the gift of your beloved scampi on the July menu and the fact that you get to spend Father’s Day with us (not necessarily in that order)…   Happy Pop’s Day to you too!