My Dad was a hard man. It was super obvious. He took no shit. Told horrible, tasteless jokes and was the poster child for 75% Bad Ass / 25% Bastard. . But man...I know this feeling. Pops taught me how to negotiate. . "Daddy." . "Yes, Pookie?" (Yes...I was his Pookie. I told him to his face he was a grump like Garfield and he told me I was his Pookie.) . "I'll play chess with you but only if you play Barbies with me. Deal?" . "But what if I make you play chess, Pookie? I can do that." . "No you can't, Daddy. Because you know I will cross my arms and just stare at you and the board. A Lady always gets her way." . And Dad would laugh. . "I taught you too well, Pookie. Barbies it is." . I wish we lived in a society where being a vulnerable man with moments of delightful softness wasn't some smear against a man's masculinity. You can still be a bad ass and cry, or hung another man with love or dance with your little girl. . So many men suffer in this toxic competition with each other and it kills them slow. The crazy ones take their rage out on women. . A redwood breaks, but a reed bends. This makes me happy. . A soft man with nobility, kindness and a stalwart content of character is a wonder man. . And an awesome Dad. . #men #dads #seattle #strongmen #goodfathers #goodthings #goodvibes (at Seattle, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAb4gJSpNzm/?igshid=isnm8euyoddk