So, it’s August 17th and in my world that would usually mean one thing: it is my birthday. (Today would happen to be my 26th)
Now, let me be clear.. generally speaking, I could care less about my birthday. Growing up, it was always a modest event never being anything crazy. To this day, a nice meal with my family and a card (cards are my favorite things in the world) and I am very much so content! Even when it came to the ever popular “sweet sixteen” I was given a choice… a party or a car. Seeing I am not a fool.. I obviously took the car. But that wasn’t the only special gift I got that birthday. This now brings me to what exactly makes this day a double celebration.
Today is also an anniversary, in fact it’s the 10th year! It has been a whole decade since I met my very special soulmate and he would be my dad. So to mark this monumental event, I will share the story about the greatest introduction there ever was. (at least in my world)
On this day, 10 years ago, I turned 16 and felt a little.. different. More adult like, definitely more independent and semi-accomplished. I just got a car, was dating a really great long term boyfriend who had an awesome family, the best of friends and doing really great with school and working. In the teen world, this is a pretty ideal situation and still a bigger part of me felt a little.. empty? To explain, growing up with my mother I was aware her significant other was not my dad. We had different names, looked nothing alike and.. I called him Rick. When I was old enough to understand what exactly that meant.. a curiosity grew that never really went away. Of course I asked, and the answers I received kind of deterred me from wanting to know for a while. (We’ll avoid those details as this is a happy story) But that feeling of needing to know never truly left. Every Fathers Day, birthday, trip to NJ.. I wondered about him. What did he look like? Where does he live? I wonder if I look like him? (This I kind of figured as I look nothing like my mom lol)
Once I was in high school I started having health issues and that question of family medical history was never really able to be answered fully and this was where I got my opening. I knew my mom wasn’t really keen on the thought of me meeting my dad as every time we generally spoke of it caused a bit of chaos. So I thought I would rationally explain the concern I had with my health and bring up a logical suggestion of finding my father.(lol) Thankfully… she agreed. So she and Rick helped me find his phone number.
Now please know.. I had this phone number for SIX MONTHS. Didn’t call for a while, then called and hung up… twice, and gave up for a while again. Then on August 17th, 2008 I was sitting on a trampoline in my boyfriends back yard and his mom made a mention of how I seemed sad. Weird comment because for all intents and purposes.. I was fine! but I took the time to really think about that comment and what could be making me feel that way and out of no where I thought.. I am 16 now and doing all these things and going to graduate soon and I don’t know my dad.. and I really want to. So randomly while laying out on that trampoline, not saying a word, I brought the phone to my ear and made a phone call.. not telling anyone I would do it.
Immediately… butterflies, panic, nerves, happiness, worry.. ALL THE THINGS, they hit me like a ton of bricks.
“Hello?”
I freaked. I first confirmed he was who he was and that he was my dad… that was certainly important. He confirmed! Then it was instant word vomit. I told him about everything I did and all that I had accomplished and about me and where I live and what I do and like.. and… and .. and. Until.. he stopped me. And he said the best sentence I ever heard to this day.
“Hey hey hey, slow down. We have a lifetime to talk.”<3
His name is Scott and he is my dad. In fact, he is my dad and my very best friend. We look exactly the same (no really), we have the same humor and he’s just my person. He also happens to have an amazing wife who is now my mom Stephanie. Since we met 10 years ago, a lot has happened. We met in person 6 months later and he came to my prom and my graduation. He skipped a concert and drove 4 hours to rescue me from the worst night of my life, he let me move in with him when I had no where to go, and took me on a family vacation with my whole new family. He has already mended a broken heart (once or twice), given me the business when I needed it and of all the memories, my favorite being when he walked me down the aisle.
Don’t get me wrong.. naturally we can drive each other nuts and have our moments but so many things in my life made more sense the day I met my father. I never understood that silly concept of love at first site or soul mates, especially in the realm of romance but all of those things made sense.. about my dad. He is my soul mate. Though our path is weird and non-traditional.. so are we so it also makes perfect sense.
That day I was given a sentence on the phone for my birthday and it has been the greatest present I will ever get.
** Dad- you are truly a gift to me, the best birthday gift I could have ever asked for and will ever receive. Things aren’t always perfect but there isn’t a day I am not grateful to know you and to have you. You have filled so many gaps in my heart and my life. I dreamed about you for 16 years and no dream came close to the reality that has taken place. I am happy to be and do a lot of things but I am so very happy to be your and moms daughter. Always know I would not change a thing.. our story is my favorite. I love you beyond measure, thank you for being my best friend! Happy 10 year anniversary! Love, your midge.
Ruppert Ranch 