Dad’s Birthday is Tuesday. I found the perfect card! at The Adventures of a Couch Surfer

I’ve had friends tell me that I have the coolest parents ever. It took me many years to accept that as a true fact, and appreciate it. As any kid, I thought they nagged some, and did not understand all their reasons for doing everything. These days I realized that everything they’ve done has been for us to have a better life. My Dad, for those who don’t know him, looks just like me, tells the same stupid jokes (mine are funnier though!), likes the same gadgets and gizmos, likes Sci-Fi, is really smart, is very hard working, loves my mom, and is liked by everyone. He is also very successful, and has all the toys that he wants… which makes him difficult to shop for. People can get him clothes, but that’s not good enough. Usually, I can pick out these great things that he doesn’t have, or know about… 11 years ago or so, I teamed up with my brothers, and got him and my mom a pair of Mini-Disc recorders… they’ve been using them to go to the gym/jog/walk until just a month ago… despite having mp3 recorders. This let them change the pitch, edit the mix, and much more. So… this year, I didn’t get him anything, but I did get him a nice card, that I feel is very special. I was given it for my Dad at the Blue Barnhouse Letterpress in Asheville, NC before I left town. The quality of everything at that store was amazing, and sheer art… they make everything on these ancient presses from 1890 and 1907. I think that’s awesome… so… Mom and Dad are in San Francisco right now, visiting my older brother. They should be back in time for Dad’s b-day, so I need to get the card to dad on time…. it’s Sunday now, and I didn’t fill it out or send it until today. There is no mail on Monday, but thankfully, Couch 41 is the manager at the Post Office, so… yet another set of shipments done for free, yay! I’m very happy that it’s getting to Dad on time. I didn’t feel like finding a Postoffice.

Here’s what the card said: (Picture of a birthday cake with 3 roses coming out of the top (My mom’s name translates into “Rose”, so that’s appropriate)) “HAPPY BIRTHDATE ANNIVERSARY” (smaller font) “BECAUSE YOU ACTUALLY ONLY HAVE ONE BIRTHDAY, AND YOU’RE A LITTLE OLDER THAN THAT.” (yes, it’s all caps, and that’s what’s on the front)

on the inside I wrote:
“Hey dad! Happy birthday!
You’re not the only one growing older and wiser. As I travel, grow, and grow wiser, I realize more and more how hard you’ve worked to make sure that everyone in the family had a great life. I realize how much you cared and sacrificed, and what an amazing father I have. I used to get mad when people said that I was an exact copy of you… Now I thank them. I hope that someday I can be at least a fraction of the great father that you are.

This card was hand made on a Letter Press from 1890. I saw the process, and think it is very special & unique– which is why I thought this was the perfect card for a special & unique person such as you. It is rare, and part of the magic that I have seen on my adventure. To me, it is more than a card.

I love you & miss you. — Ori

Happy Birthday!”

Hope he can read my crappy handwriting. You blog-readers have it so good, seeing me type