My dad is kind of a wizard at computers. As a child, that’s what I would tell people when they asked for my dad’s occupation. Computer wizard. Still to this day, I can not describe in clear detail what he does because it’s just that interesting and truth be told I’ll never be able to comprehend his genius. When I was young, Saturday mornings meant one of two things: Dad and I would either go get donuts together or we’d go get breakfast and spend the morning at the computer store where I’d talk him into buying me games and then he’d take me up to work and let me roam the offices where I would play solitaire on literally everyone’s computer. (This was pre-password protected days. I know, I’m really aging myself over here.) It is still one of my favorite memories of mine — two nerds and their love for early 90’s computers.
A few years ago I had this crazy idea to open a store. I had told B about it and he didn’t flinch. So I decided to try it out on my mom, who can literally talk me out of anything. Oddly enough, she didn’t. A few days passed and my dad called me up and we were just chatting about nothing. That’s when he asked if I was serious. “I’m pretty much always serious, dad.” But he meant about the store not about life. Was I serious about opening a shop? Did I really want to do this?
For the next 6 months, my dad helped me build Bloom. We lived 5 hours away from McKinney where Bloom is, so I would drive up on the weekends and try to get as much done as I could. He taught me how to build a business plan and how to build a business, really. He took me to open my business bank account, to get my sales tax id. He went to market with me the first time. And as nerdy as this sounds, it was one of the best days of my life. I still remember my outfit, which is huge in this old dusty memory box of a brain.
When I needed displays, he built them. When I needed shelves, he made them. When we needed dressing rooms, he built them. (Seriously, this man is out of control with woodworking.) I would reason with him — but dad, I can just go buy some. The answer was always no, that’s what he was set on doing and that’s what he was going to do.
Every Saturday morning, I go up to Bloom, open up and see my dad in the woodwork, in the computers he built, in the business he helped me set up. Although there are no chocolate donuts involved, we still get to spend our Saturday mornings together.
Happy Father’s Day, dad. I forgot to get you a card.
158 Responses
Aren’t fathers awesome? my dad is also always building everything, Always has a project on the go!
http://www.jessicahobin.blogspot.com
what a lovely sentiment! I spent summers working & traveling with my dad in my early teen years, and those mean so much to me.
this is so sweet! what a great tribute to your father 🙂
What a tribute to Dad! He loved it as tears ran down his face!
Thank you for making his day!
That is probably the sweetest story I’ve ever heard!
-ash
http://www.thestylizedwannabe.com
So cute that your mom left a comment below! You are so blessed to have a close-knit family 🙂
lovely! happy father day! 🙂
Irene Wibowo
Wow, what an amazing post for Father’s day! Your dad sounds incredible! Hope you both have a great day today!
xoxo
Jordan
http://thattallgirlinheels.com
You have such a lovely way with words. This is a great way to think of your father.
So sweet Kendi…thanks for sharing!
This is such an awesome post! Hope your dad has an AMAZING father’s day! It’s so interesting to read about all the behind the scenes of Bloom growing to be what it is today. I hope to one day stop by and admire all the handiwork, as well as fill my closet with the gorgeous pieces.
Lovely! <3
This is so sweet! Happy Father’s Day to your awesome dad!
Like your dad I cried over this post. It’s so hard being a parent – some days you don’t have it in you to even try your best, but your dad sure gets it right… wow. An inspiration….
What a beautiful, thoughtful and heartfelt tribute! It makes me a little teary-eyed. You are so lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive dad!
xx Ivana
Macarons and Pearls
Kendi, what a lovely post about your Dad!!! You are one lucky girl and he’s a lucky Dad to have you too! Dad’s are the best! It’s so fascinating getting to hear about the behind the scenes stuff while you were planning Bloom. Great post!
That was beautiful. How neat that you not only have something you were able to do together, but something that reminds you of him and that time everyday. So sweet!
Beautiful stories – Thanks for giving us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Bloom. You’re lucky to have such a generous, loving Father 🙂
http://www.zipstyleseattle.com
Love this post!
Love this! That’s what dad’s are for 😉
Aren't fathers awesome? my dad is also always building everything, Always has a project on the go!
http://www.jessicahobin.blogspot.com
what a lovely sentiment! I spent summers working & traveling with my dad in my early teen years, and those mean so much to me.
this is so sweet! what a great tribute to your father 🙂
What a tribute to Dad! He loved it as tears ran down his face!
Thank you for making his day!
That is probably the sweetest story I've ever heard!
-ash
http://www.thestylizedwannabe.com
So cute that your mom left a comment below! You are so blessed to have a close-knit family 🙂
lovely! happy father day! 🙂
Irene Wibowo
Wow, what an amazing post for Father's day! Your dad sounds incredible! Hope you both have a great day today!
xoxo
Jordan
http://thattallgirlinheels.com
You have such a lovely way with words. This is a great way to think of your father.
So sweet Kendi…thanks for sharing!
This is such an awesome post! Hope your dad has an AMAZING father's day! It's so interesting to read about all the behind the scenes of Bloom growing to be what it is today. I hope to one day stop by and admire all the handiwork, as well as fill my closet with the gorgeous pieces.
so familiar! my dad’s like that too.. Kendi, you made me cry! 🙂
What a super sweet post. LOVED it!
Lovely! <3
This is so sweet! Happy Father's Day to your awesome dad!
This is so lovely. Love it
Like your dad I cried over this post. It's so hard being a parent – some days you don't have it in you to even try your best, but your dad sure gets it right… wow. An inspiration….
Awww! How sweet!
What a great story. You are super lucky to not only have a Dad that is good with woodworking, but also computers. I didn’t even think that was possible! Aren’t those opposite side of the brain? LOL
bisous
Suzanne
Beautiful
What a beautiful, thoughtful and heartfelt tribute! It makes me a little teary-eyed. You are so lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive dad!
xx Ivana
Macarons and Pearls
That’s amazing that your dad helped you build your store! So touching. Hope your dad reads your blog post so he can see how proud of him you are 🙂
Allie | A Song to Pass the Time
Kendi, what a lovely post about your Dad!!! You are one lucky girl and he's a lucky Dad to have you too! Dad's are the best! It's so fascinating getting to hear about the behind the scenes stuff while you were planning Bloom. Great post!
That was beautiful. How neat that you not only have something you were able to do together, but something that reminds you of him and that time everyday. So sweet!
love this. How incredibly sweet of your dad to be so involved and supportive. 🙂
Beautiful stories – Thanks for giving us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Bloom. You're lucky to have such a generous, loving Father 🙂
http://www.zipstyleseattle.com
You my Dear have been Blessed beyond measure. Thankyou for sharing your Dad with us.
Love love love this. Those of us with great dads are very lucky ladies. 🙂
So beautifully written. I miss my Dad so much. He was just like me too, but it took after he passed away to realize it..I tried most of adult life to fit into Mom’s personality..I think Dad’s are often overlooked..but their impact on children’s lives move mountains. My dad was not handy, was a voracious reader, but the one thing we did on Sundays when I was a teenager(in the olden days, 1970s’) was put air in my tires..He was always so concerned about tire pressure. If my tires looked worn on our Sunday visit to put air in them, he’d make sure I had new tires that day..I miss Dad so much. Thank you Kendi for stirring these memories..
Love this! That's what dad's are for 😉
Awesome message for your Dad, Kendi. You’re a lucky girl!
Kendi, I love you. You’re so great. Cheers to you, and your pops. What a beautiful relationship.
Sweet post for a sweet and wonderful man. Go Kendi’s pa!
Kendi, this was so lovely. I am a total daddy’s girl and worship the ground my dad walks on. I’m glad your dad has the same effect on you 🙂
This almost made me cry. How blessed you are!
Nikki
Fashion Finds on a Dime
How sweet! I love this. It’s like an inside story and so cool to hear how much he contributed to building your store. I would have not had any idea where to start with my own business! My parents would be the first I would ask to help me get started. What a great way to start everyday, being able to see your Dad in everything.
What a great dad 🙂 You’re definitely a lucky girl, Kendi! If you get a minute, I’d love to know what you think of my latest outfit post!
xo, elle from Living in Color.
so familiar! my dad's like that too.. Kendi, you made me cry! 🙂
What a super sweet post. LOVED it!
Thank you for sharing such a sweet story about your father. He sounds like such a great man. You are both so lucky to have each other!
This is so lovely. Love it
Awww! How sweet!
What a great story. You are super lucky to not only have a Dad that is good with woodworking, but also computers. I didn't even think that was possible! Aren't those opposite side of the brain? LOL
bisous
Suzanne
Beautiful
This is so sweet! Thank you for haring 🙂
Erica
sweet-endeavors.blogspot.com
That's amazing that your dad helped you build your store! So touching. Hope your dad reads your blog post so he can see how proud of him you are 🙂
Allie | A Song to Pass the Time
love this. How incredibly sweet of your dad to be so involved and supportive. 🙂
Kendi, this was such a sweet post and that last sentence made me laugh out loud! Yaye for good dads!
Sarah
http://www.sarrrahgirl.blogspot.com
Ha! I never remember cards. Your dad sounds pre-tty damn cool, tho. 🙂
You my Dear have been Blessed beyond measure. Thankyou for sharing your Dad with us.
Love love love this. Those of us with great dads are very lucky ladies. 🙂
<3
Awesome message for your Dad, Kendi. You're a lucky girl!
Your father is an angel…I love this post. It’s way better than a card.
Kendi, I love you. You're so great. Cheers to you, and your pops. What a beautiful relationship.
Sweet post for a sweet and wonderful man. Go Kendi's pa!
thats a really moving story
Kendi, this was so lovely. I am a total daddy's girl and worship the ground my dad walks on. I'm glad your dad has the same effect on you 🙂
What a great dad!
This almost made me cry. How blessed you are!
Nikki
Fashion Finds on a Dime
How sweet! I love this. It's like an inside story and so cool to hear how much he contributed to building your store. I would have not had any idea where to start with my own business! My parents would be the first I would ask to help me get started. What a great way to start everyday, being able to see your Dad in everything.
What a great dad 🙂 You're definitely a lucky girl, Kendi! If you get a minute, I’d love to know what you think of my latest outfit post!
xo, elle from Living in Color.
So sweet!
Thank you for sharing such a sweet story about your father. He sounds like such a great man. You are both so lucky to have each other!
This is so sweet! Thank you for haring 🙂
Erica
sweet-endeavors.blogspot.com
What a lovely post! Your dad and your relationship with your dad sounds so special. It’s so good he is such a huge part of your life 🙂
Away From Blue
This is so incredibly sweet! My dad is pretty much the same. Made me a confident, daring woman and I am so proud of it!
http://www.chevronsandeclairs.com
Both your parents sound amazing , what a lovely post.
Meghan Silva’s Blog
Kendi, this was such a sweet post and that last sentence made me laugh out loud! Yaye for good dads!
Sarah
http://www.sarrrahgirl.blogspot.com
Ha! I never remember cards. Your dad sounds pre-tty damn cool, tho. 🙂
<3
Oh, how very sweet, Kendi! I love dads. They’re the best. I love my father very much too, there’s just something about them. Selfless, odd, loving, goofy creatures. To dads, all over the world! { http://www.jupiterskye.com }
Your father is an angel…I love this post. It's way better than a card.
thats a really moving story
doszafy.pl
What a great dad!
You didn’t forget the card silly!! It’s written above!! Priceless.
So sweet!
Did everyone tear up when reading that, or was it just me?
Best dad ever. Hands down. Happy Fathers Day to him!
This is so incredibly sweet! My dad is pretty much the same. Made me a confident, daring woman and I am so proud of it!
http://www.chevronsandeclairs.com
Both your parents sound amazing , what a lovely post.
Meghan Silva's Blog
I’m sure he loved this so much more than a card! He’ll never accidentally lose it! 🙂 Such sweet words, Kendi – you guys are lucky to have each other!
http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com
Oh, how very sweet, Kendi! I love dads. They're the best. I love my father very much too, there's just something about them. Selfless, odd, loving, goofy creatures. To dads, all over the world! { http://www.jupiterskye.com }
This is one of my favorite Kendi posts of all time.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I loved this post! Thanks for sharing, I may have teared up a little.
What a great post! Even made me a little teary eyed. 🙂 He sounds like a great dad!
You didn't forget the card silly!! It's written above!! Priceless.
Did everyone tear up when reading that, or was it just me?
this. is lovely. teary eyed for sure. dads show their love through making shelves and computer nerdiness. i have very same memories of going to work with my Dad and playing games on computers, as early as 1993! thanks for sharing kendi!!
Best dad ever. Hands down. Happy Fathers Day to him!
This totally just made me cry. What a great dad!
what an awesome tribute to your dad and wonderful memories for you both!!
love this! he sounds like a great dad!
How special that he helped you make your dreams a reality!
Aww, this brought tears to my eyes. That is so sweet!
I'm sure he loved this so much more than a card! He'll never accidentally lose it! 🙂 Such sweet words, Kendi – you guys are lucky to have each other!
http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com
This is one of my favorite Kendi posts of all time.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
This reminded me a lot of my relationship with my dad – you wrote this so simply, yet emotionally, it brought me to tears.
I loved this post! Thanks for sharing, I may have teared up a little.
What a great post! Even made me a little teary eyed. 🙂 He sounds like a great dad!
this. is lovely. teary eyed for sure. dads show their love through making shelves and computer nerdiness. i have very same memories of going to work with my Dad and playing games on computers, as early as 1993! thanks for sharing kendi!!
What fantastic memories of your father. He sounds like a wonderful dad!! My dad is also a computer wizard, and I have no idea what he does for a living, exactly. 🙂
these are the stories we want to hear. thanks for sharing, kendi.
This totally just made me cry. What a great dad!
what an awesome tribute to your dad and wonderful memories for you both!!
I loved this! Thank you for sharing this part of your life. 🙂
How special that he helped you make your dreams a reality!
This is beautiful, Kendi. Thanks for sharing. And Happy Fathers’ Day to your amazing dad.
Aww, this brought tears to my eyes. That is so sweet!
Beautiful Kendi, I don’t have a close relationship with my Dad but have wondered what an adult father/daughter loving relationship looked like and I think I found my answer… Will be showing this post to my hubby too, just to give him some ideas as one day our little angel will be an adult too. xx
This reminded me a lot of my relationship with my dad – you wrote this so simply, yet emotionally, it brought me to tears.
That is the sweetest write-up! I got teary eyed. He’s lucky to have you as a daughter 🙂
Kristin
http://www.dressedandfed.com
What fantastic memories of your father. He sounds like a wonderful dad!! My dad is also a computer wizard, and I have no idea what he does for a living, exactly. 🙂
these are the stories we want to hear. thanks for sharing, kendi.
I loved this! Thank you for sharing this part of your life. 🙂
This is beautiful, Kendi. Thanks for sharing. And Happy Fathers' Day to your amazing dad.
Beautiful Kendi, I don't have a close relationship with my Dad but have wondered what an adult father/daughter loving relationship looked like and I think I found my answer… Will be showing this post to my hubby too, just to give him some ideas as one day our little angel will be an adult too. xx
That is the sweetest write-up! I got teary eyed. He's lucky to have you as a daughter 🙂
Kristin
http://www.dressedandfed.com
This was a wonderful post and I love that you shared these memories! Dad’s truly are the best, mine is anyway! I love that you have him all around you everyday! Best feeling ever!
http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/
So sweet 🙂
Awww…dads are the best! A beautiful post!
~Jessica
This was a wonderful post and I love that you shared these memories! Dad's truly are the best, mine is anyway! I love that you have him all around you everyday! Best feeling ever!
http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/
So sweet 🙂
Awww…dads are the best! A beautiful post!
~Jessica
What a truly beautiful post, thank you for sharing
If he didn’t tear up reading this, well, I just don’t know. Sounds like my dad. 🙂
If he didn't tear up reading this, well, I just don't know. Sounds like my dad. 🙂
Aww, beautiful post! My dad is a computer wizard too and I spent Saturdays in his office building drawing on everyone’s white boards and running up and down the aisle with my sister (or convincing him to buy us computer games at the computer store). Memories… 🙂
Aww, beautiful post! My dad is a computer wizard too and I spent Saturdays in his office building drawing on everyone's white boards and running up and down the aisle with my sister (or convincing him to buy us computer games at the computer store). Memories… 🙂
Shoot, that was just beautiful; I love the outfits you put together, Kendi, but your stellar writing is what keeps me coming back. This is the line that made me cry, weirdly enough: “He taught me how to build a business plan and how to build a business, really.” That right there is love in action!
I’m thirty years old and I still want to be just like my own dad when I grow up.
This just brought a tear to my eye..you have an incredible Dad for sure 🙂
This just brought a tear to my eye..you have an incredible Dad for sure 🙂
So beautifully written. I miss my Dad so much. He was just like me too, but it took after he passed away to realize it..I tried most of adult life to fit into Mom's personality..I think Dad's are often overlooked..but their impact on children's lives move mountains. My dad was not handy, was a voracious reader, but the one thing we did on Sundays when I was a teenager(in the olden days, 1970s') was put air in my tires..He was always so concerned about tire pressure. If my tires looked worn on our Sunday visit to put air in them, he'd make sure I had new tires that day..I miss Dad so much. Thank you Kendi for stirring these memories..
your post is always so interesting…
rs gold
wow gold
I hadn’t been on your blog for a while, few weeks maybe, but I love your blog! (life gets in the way sometimes of looking at awesome blogs) anyway, I literally just cried reading about these awesome memories you have with your Dad. I loved everything you said and it made me wish I had a better relationship with my dad. Anyway I know God has a purpose for everything in my life and although my dad is sometimes not super dad he is still awesome and I love him!
I don’t know why I felt the need to comment my heart out, but there it is!
To all a great day 😀
I hadn't been on your blog for a while, few weeks maybe, but I love your blog! (life gets in the way sometimes of looking at awesome blogs) anyway, I literally just cried reading about these awesome memories you have with your Dad. I loved everything you said and it made me wish I had a better relationship with my dad. Anyway I know God has a purpose for everything in my life and although my dad is sometimes not super dad he is still awesome and I love him!
I don't know why I felt the need to comment my heart out, but there it is!
To all a great day 😀