Fatherhood does not come with a manual, which is probably why so many people have tried to write about it. These quotes cover the pride, worry, humor, and fierce love that come with being a dad — or having one who shaped who you became.
“My dad, bless him, was a musician. And his dad had thought that his music was rubbish.”
“Playing music has always felt very natural. You know, you do try to do other things, and you do learn lessons that way, but, eventually - well... if your dad is a plumber, you become a plumber. It's the family business, and I felt like I was taking over the family business.”
“My mom and dad just loved the fact that I fooled around. They just embraced it. They'd always kind of enjoy it, and they liked it when I made them laugh.”
“My dad had a personal style which was very attractive. It was quite reserved and quite elegant, and it was infectious.”
“I was into the Mets because my Dad worked at IBM where he got free Mets tickets, so I was into the Mets... then I got to 'Saturday Night Live' where my boss has unbelievable N.Y. Yankees tickets, so he invites us to the games. I'm going to all the games, so I might as well root for the team I'm gonna go sit with.”
“I like to think my dad was easygoing and kind, and I think some of those things have been passed down. I am like him in a sense of being positive and hopeful. He was compassionate, and I've got a lot of that in me as well.”
“It's an ongoing joy being a dad.”
“My dad was diagnosed with cancer, so we ended up burying him a year to the day that he was diagnosed.”
“One day my dad would say, 'OK, if you want to play tennis I can help you out.' And that's how it started. And I had a goal. I wanted to beat my mom first. And my parents and my brother. And that was the ultimate goal.”
“My dad has always been my coach. And I've spent so much time with him. So he's one of my best friends. And I can talk to him about everything.”
“I would never have done what I'd done if I'd considered my father as somebody I wanted to please.”
“I always wanted what Mom and Dad had.”
“My friends say, 'Man you're going to have kids sleeping on pillowcases with your face on it! You're going to be on toothbrushes and magnets and stuff.' I guess now that I'm a dad, I'm thrilled about that.”
“My dad is a motorcycle guy, not some Hollywood dude.”
“I can definitely say the older I've got the better I've become at being a dad and a husband.”
“My dad was rubbish at all other aspects of his financial life, but he's pretty good at paying the rent.”