rubyredstained | Friends Only

Today is the twentieth anniversary of my father's death, and I spent it at my friends' wedding. I can't think of a better way to spend a day, mind you. Flynn and Quinn epitomise love in a way rarely seen outside of epic romances that are always disappointing for their fictional nature.

I don't miss my father for the very simple reason that I never knew him. When I was old enough to know I didn't have a dad and maybe that was a little strange, I had Ben. He was dating my mother, and his children became my siblings. When my mother and Ben split, it was amicable and they remained friends. Ben remained that constant fatherly figure in my life. I went to him when I scraped my knees and when I needed money for the tube or a bite to eat. Though that makes it sound like I didn't have those things when I did. It was just a kid thing. 'I spent all my money on lollies and now I can't get any real food and home is far away, can I also have money for the tube'.

Today isn't a day I grieve for a man I lost, though I do know he was a good man and I wish I had known him. Today is a day I am grateful I didn't lack for anything growing up. I did not have my father, but I had my Dad.

Ben, when he dated my mother. Check out his mane! Rawr!

Photobombing my photo right before the camera went off, so I look confused.

And Ben at his best. Me, playing a little makeshift concert at Mariposa (my cafe) on the ukulele while he looks on, proud as anything, not caring that I am utterly ridiculous.

Everyone should be as lucky as I am.