It’s quite amazing to have another dad in my life to appreciate this Father’s Day.

Those two above (Gradon and his son, Ethan) have brought a ton of joy into my life since I met Gradon in 2008, though I haven’t spent nearly enough time with Ethan (who I met in ’09, once Gradon and I knew we were serious about one another.)

The time I have spent?

Awesome.

Ethan is the kind of kid who looks you straight in the eye, smiles, and has perfect manners — when he’s not totally making fun of you, that is, in which case he’s just hilarious.

I was struck the first time I met him with how open and friendly he was with me, right off the bat, which I absolutely credit to having parents who taught him to like and respect people.

And since one of those parents is the man I love, I get to reap the benefits.

Gradon is a fantastic dad.

He plays, he laughs, he gives great advice, he sets things straight when they need setting straight, and — more importantly than anything else — he never lets his son go a single visit without letting him know that Ethan is the best thing in his life.

Being a divorced parent isn’t easy, especially when school arrangements mean that you see your little person at the ends of weeks, rather than all week long. I know Gradon misses him terribly when they’re not together.

But it says a lot that he packs more than a week’s worth of love into the days he has.

So here’s to the other dad in my life on Father’s Day.

Thanks for being the kind of guy I’d like to share kids with someday — and will.

Love you!

(Also does not smile with teeth. It’s hereditary, I swear!)

I’ve clearly written about my dad before.

And, truth be told, that’s because he’s exceptionally better than every other dad on earth for every reason you could possibly think of, from his reassuring hugs to his sage advice to his wealth of opinions to his crazy laugh to his ninja iPhone skills (that’s right, an iPhone. My dad outcools me.)

Unfortunately, only a maximum of four people (my brother, my sister-in-law, me and uh, some guy in the states whenever we make it official) will actually get to have him for a dad.

That’s why, this Father’s Day, I’m going to impart some of the wisdom he’s given me over the years so it’s kind of like YOU had him for a dad, TOO.

I know. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, even more so than the Jam of the Month club.

FIFTEEN THINGS I’VE LEARNED FROM MY DAD

(in no particular order)

1. A balanced meal is one that ends in chocolate.

2. Organized sock drawer = organized mind.

3. One can never take too many pictures of your family, or the ocean. Or sunsets. Or birds. Okay, one can never take too many pictures, period.

4. Getting there IS half the fun. As long as you can go fast.

5. Rain is nature’s way of telling us we look good in a trenchcoat. And secondly, to go back inside.

6. If you’re not good at something, marry someone who is.

7. The loudest things about you should be your laugh, your cheers at football/baseball/basketball (you get my drift), and your sneeze.

8. The quietest things about you should be your engine, your style, and your confidence.

9. Be ready to give an answer for what you believe — but live it so clearly that no one needs to ask.

10. Laundry is an art, not a chore.

11. Buy all the papers, but don’t buy everything they tell you.

12. Investing in one great pair that lasts is always less expensive than buying five cheap pairs that don’t.

13. Work the hours it takes to do a great job — even if they end up being a little longer than the ones you got paid for.

14. Giving isn’t a nicety, it’s a necessity.

15. I am the best daughter ever. (okay, okay… yes, but…)

15b. (the real one) Never stop telling your kids you love them. That way, they never forget.

And all that (and more) is why I love you, Dad!

Happy Father’s Day!