Make it a Father’s Day to Remember
Father’s Day as we know it has its origins in one woman wondering, during a Mother’s Day church service, “why don’t we honor fathers too?” So today, a month after we celebrated the influential women in our lives, we wanted to share some of the history of this day with you, and maybe prompt you to begin some new traditions to honor the men who have made you who you are today.
The moment of wonder in question happened in 1909 in Spokane, Washington. After the idea sparked in her mind, Sonora Smart Dodd began lobbying her local clergy to recognize fathers on June 5 – her own father’s birthday. Instead, in 1910 they settled on the third Sunday in June, because they needed more time to get another special service ready after Mother’s Day, and that’s where it has remained! Sonora spent the next 60 years pushing for it to become a national holiday, and finally got her wish in 1972. Her tenacity is remarkable.
Sonora’s mission was deeply rooted in her love for her own dad, who helped to raise 14 children, 6 of them as a single dad. And while Father’s Day met with some initial resistance due to the misconception that such celebrations were “feminine,” we encourage you to follow Sonora Dodd’s lead and honor the dads in your life just as lovingly as you honor the moms.
* Sonora Dodd said, about her dad, “I remember everything about him.” That’s a great place to start. Think about the dad(s) in your life, no matter what your “official” relationship is, and name the things you’ll always associate with him or them. Write your list down, and consider giving it as a gift. If you’ve got kids at home, you can have them draw a picture of their dad, from memory, and make a list of the things about him that they’ll always remember.
* Sonora also called her dad “a great home person,” which is a wonderful reminder of the kinds of moments we treasure spending with the men we love. So have fun at home this Father’s Day! Cook together, or watch a movie, or have a game day. Make the kind of memories you would tell the Spokane Daily Chronicle about!
* An early Father’s Day tradition that has gone by the wayside is flowers. Let’s reclaim it! On the first Father’s Day, red and white roses were passed out in honor of living and dead fathers, respectively. Give roses to the dad in your life, either real ones or some homemade tissue paper roses like the ones seen here. If you go down this road, be aware that the second method demonstrated is significantly easier than the first.
Whatever you do to celebrate, remember that it is historically appropriate for this holiday for you to make it up as you go. From the shifting date to the slow acceptance of its existence, Father’s Day has evolved over the last century into a beautiful opportunity to honor the amazing men who have shaped our lives. So today, honor the kind of love that inspires 60 years of lobbying!
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