A few weeks ago one of our service providers invited me and the Engineer to a dinner and wine tasting hosted at a beautiful boutique hotel very close by. Yes, please! As it happens at the end of the year, however, the Engineer was summoned to another province at a moment’s notice leaving me by my lonesome as a single parent to the lilliputians for a few days. He was however kind enough to organise that his parents do grandparent duty for one evening, leaving me to still attend the event. I did however not feel like going solo. I tried a few colleagues but they could not make it, and then I decided that the person who loves wine even more than me, is my dad. So with one phone call, I had a date.
It is always thrilling and terrifying to let my family loose among people who I want to impress. They simply know too much! But I was so wrong, I did not need to impress anyone, he did it all for me!
My father celebrated his 76th birthday this year and is still teaching at the Tshwane University of Technology. He has been trying desperately to retire, but he has a commitment to his students and the University is struggling to finish off their semester due to the pandemic and all the challenges that go with that.
Last night however I took a moment to sit back and just enjoy this fantastic gentleman that is my dad. He is charming and witty and has a story to link to anything. He is gracious and complimentary. He laughs easily and encourages laughter wherever he goes. He has the ability to make people feel important, celebrated, interesting and loved.
We had beautiful wine and a marvellous dinner and I had the best date.
Last night when I was just about to fall asleep there was even a little regret, that I do not do this way more often, a date with my dad – what a privilege.