Happy Father’s Day! Here is the #ILoveYoulogy that I wrote for my father. As I read it to him, he welled up with emotion, and after I finished, he said, “That was great. And so well-written!” And then he said, “Hey! I just heard a ME-logy!”

While you’re reading this, I invite you to think about your own fathers, including biological fathers, adoptive fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, godfathers, or any father figures that have loved and guided you with their paternal energy. And I hope you write an #ILoveYoulogy to honor him today. If you want to share it and you get permission from him please post it here with the hashtag #ILoveYoulogy, or on your own page, or on the @ILoveYoulogy Twitter page (there are also ILoveYoulogy pages on FB and IG). This movement was co-created by me and @AllysonMaida, and we believe it has the power to contribute to the #LoveRevolution that our planet needs right now.

“My dad is magnificent. All throughout my childhood, he kissed me, hugged me, made me laugh, and told me that he loved me. He told me that I was wonderful and magical, and that I could accomplish anything that I wanted to do in my life. I believed him. My life has been a manifestation of the core belief he instilled in me, that anything is possible.

My dad was born in Seoul, South Korea, and he came to America when he was a teenager. He got a PhD at M.I.T. He worked for the U.S. Government as a structural engineer for the Navy for 36 years. He taught advanced level engineering courses at George Washington University. He also loves the English language and wordplay, and he’s a crossword puzzle junkie like me. He is incredibly articulate, and he taught me the importance of enunciating clearly. He coined the word “drow” (d-r-o-w), which I submitted to Urban Dictionary, and it got accepted! Unlike a palindrome, which is a word that spells the same word backwards, a “drow” is a “word” that spells a different word backwards. For example, “stressed” becomes “desserts,” and “diaper” becomes “repaid.” Now, I like to make up words too, like “blisscombobulated,” which is when you’re so happy, you lose your balance and bump into things.

My dad has integrity. He worked hard every day, and when he came home from work every night at 6:00 pm, we ate dinner together as a family. He never complained about his job. Not once. He never had a bad thing to say about his colleagues, or his employees. To this day, he never gossips about frivolous things. He always treats everyone he encounters with the same level of respect. And I have never heard him say one racist or sexist thing in his life.

My dad is hilarious. He’s the life of the party, the emcee, a great singer, and a master joke teller. His humor spans the entire spectrum from sophisticated to slapstick, and he’s able to laugh at himself. The gift of being able to see the humor in life, is something I cherish every day. I am now a stand-up comedian, because of him.

My dad is a huge movie buff. He owns over 2,000 movies, including every Oscar winning film. I grew up watching all the classics, and I especially loved some of his favorite black & white films, like “Roman Holiday” and “Casablanca.” Every time I watched a movie with my father, I would secretly dream of being in one someday. I am now an actor, because of him.

My dad is my biggest fan. About 30 years ago, when my very first movie premiered in Virginia, we all went to the theatre together as a family. I had a small part in the Steve Martin film, “HouseSitter.” My dad brought his camera into the theater, and was taking PICTURES of the screen while my scene was on. We were all making fun of him, whispering to him that photos of a moving screen in a dark theater would never come out. Well, we were wrong. They came out GREAT, and I was so thankful to have them! He started carrying the photos of me with Steve Martin in his jacket pocket, and would stop strangers on the street to brag about me, which goes against Korean cultural etiquette. He also mails me actual prints of all the great pictures he takes every time we’re together as a family, even in this age of digital technology. And he still cuts out and snail mails me newspaper articles that he knows I’ll love.

My dad is not only a man of science – he is a man of faith. Many years ago he got lymphoma, and he not only survived, but also thrived, because of his complete faith in God and his absolute belief in his ability to reclaim his health. He kept his endless optimism and sense of humor throughout his journey. And he once again went against Korean cultural etiquette, by sharing his experiences via email with all of his family and friends. In Asian culture, it’s considered low class or tacky to reveal that you have any problems. You’re supposed to pretend that everything’s perfect. But my dad taught me that we are only as sick as our secrets.

Then in 2006, I got breast cancer. In fact, I’ve had breast cancer 4 times, because like most Asians, I am an overachiever. Woo hoo! The third time it metastasized to stage 4 and spread from my left breast to my right breast, my lymph nodes, my skull, my sternum, my back, and my left hip. I was given 6 months to live in 2011. But I kept a positive attitude, and cracked jokes all along the way. I embraced many different types of treatments, changed what I eat and drink, and learned some amazing life lessons. I also shared my journey, via social media. I received such an outpouring of support that it cracked my heart open, and I was, quite literally, loved back to life. My dad showed me that anything is possible. As I now deal with another stage 4 cancer diagnosis, I draw strength from his faith and I know that more miracles are on the way. I’m 56 years young, and the best is yet to come.

The idea of my dad dying someday is completely unacceptable to me. The good news is that my dad knows I love him with every molecule of my being. He has told me countless times and shown me in so many ways that he loves me, and because of that, I have become someone who enthusiastically expresses love.

As Queen Elizabeth once said, “I am my father’s daughter.”

My dad has always made me feel special, and reminded me how blessed I am. In fact when I was a kid, he tucked me into bed every night by singing, “Counting My Blessings.” Here’s a link to the song if you want to hear it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djrZJiIkRJM

My dad will turn 82 this year, but he will always be young at heart. His face lights up every time I walk into a room, and his voice lights up every time I call. Because of him, every day, I count my blessings.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad! I love you infinity to the power of infinity!”

Reply · Report Post