**This post was written as part of my collaboration with eBay**
My dad inspired me to start Grechen’s Closet, and came up with the tagline : “it’s not you, it’s your closet” – he is an entrepreneur (he had a tennis shop in our house growing up, and he still strings racquets today) and the best at what he does; I aspire to be the best at what I do because of him.
My dad loves photography, and was/is always taking pictures. I never really caught on, until now, but I remember trips to Colonial Photo & Hobby as a kid, looking at cameras, photography equipment, and posing for photos all around town. We used to go out for photoshoots as kids with my dad. No wonder I’m so good at posing for outfit photos…!
My dad took me to my first concert: Foreigner/Night Ranger in 1986. I have a photo to prove it. He also used to take us fishing out on his inflatable pontoon boat, a la Jacques Cousteau.
My dad nurtured my love of fashion and style. I may have grown out of wearing color, but I appreciate individual style because of my dad (he loves his crazy socks!). We were always trying to stay up to date on the latest fashions, as you can probably tell from the photos. The first photo was taken back when skate shoes were FIRST popular, in the mid-80’s. It’s hard to see, but I’m wearing a pair of Van-type sneakers, and they were ripped to shreds because I wore them constantly. I also have a mullet.
In the second picture, you’ll notice the pink sweater, oversized, of course, as was popular in the later half of the 80’s, and the blue stripes on my socks match my earrings. Oh yes. I was subtle, but still deliberate.
In the third picture, I’m proudly wearing my Night Ranger sweatshirt (who cared about Foreigner in 1986?), which could quite possibly have been where my firmly entrenched love of sweatshirts came from. I wish I had it today.
My dad is one of the most amazing men I have ever known. Not only because of his impact on me and my life today, but because of who he is: a father, husband, entrepreneur, photographer, tennis racquet-stringer, grandfather, shopper, lover of good food, and overall enjoy-er of LIFE.
And it is because of him that I do what I do today. Thanks, daddy.
Please take a look at the #eBayDad collections I created in honor of my dad for Father’s Day on eBay:
Inspired gifts for the dad who has it all
Father’s Day Gifts for the Style Conscious dad
Then, create your own collection to be entered to win $500 to spend on eBay. That’s a lot of James Perse 😉 (sweepstakes ends on June 8th).
I’d love to hear about your dad!
I love that you share about your life, and your dad sounds great. I also had a fab dad and I miss him every day. He died over ten years ago, but his influence is still strong. He was a warm, wonderful and witty person, and I’m blessed that he was my father. BTW: I vote for more of your “photos from the past.” It’s fun to see them.
Oh. I have lots more pictures like this!! I didn’t want to overwhelm this post with them so I’ll space them out a bit 🙂
Your fathers sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
I love these pics of you and your dad! He sounds so creative, energetic and loving. And I’ll bet he’s so proud of you! (Love the mullet…I had one around the same time, too, but mine was very permed and teased! I remember getting compliments on it…and I was a mom at that point. YIKES!!!????)
About my dad: My dad taught me to appreciate nature and to take good care of it as an act of stewardship. I remember our canoe trips on the creek, fishing and then, stopping at my favorite spot to get out and wade. And our winter walks trudging through knee-deep snow in the pine forest on the land that had belonged to his grandparents, by where their farmhouse had once stood. We’d stand quietly and watch the deer walk by, him dreaming of a shot with his rifle, and me, dreaming of a shot with my camera!
My dad is one of the most generous people I’ve ever known, and by his generosity, I’ve learned to give to others. I’m so proud of the man my dad is! Love you, Dad!
Aw, sweet! My dad is one of the dearest people in my life. And clearly yours is too<3.
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