What Do You Get the Man Who Gave You Everything?

Father's Day is coming up, and you're probably sitting there wondering what to get Dad, right? Maybe you've been scrolling through gift websites, looking at ties he'll never wear or coffee mugs that'll just sit in the cabinet. But here's the thing – your dad isn't really looking for another thing to put on a shelf.

You know what your dad really wants? You. Just you.

Yeah, yeah. It sounds too simple. But think about it for a second. Your dad has been there through everything – scraped knees, bad grades, heartbreaks, victories, and all those moments in between. He's the guy who taught you to ride a bike, probably running behind you way longer than he needed to because he was scared to let go. He's the one who still sees you as his little kid, even if you're all grown up now.

But here's what we don't talk about enough – dads often feel like they're on the outside looking in. While Mom gets the bedtime stories, the random hugs, and the "I love you" texts, Dad sometimes feels like he's just the guy who fixes things and pays the bills. He loves you more than words can say, but he might not always know how to show it. And sometimes, neither do you.

So this Father's Day, forget the store-bought stuff. Give him something that money can't buy – give him a real connection with you.

Not about school or work or what's for dinner. Ask him about his childhood. What was he like when he was your age? What scared him? What made him laugh until his stomach hurt? Ask him about the day you were born – not just the facts, but how he felt. Trust me, his face will light up in a way you've never seen before.

Show him that song that makes you feel everything, even if it's not his type of music. Tell him about your dreams, your fears, the things that keep you up at night. Yeah, it might feel weird at first. But your dad wants to know the real you, not just the version that asks for rides and money.

Every dad has stories he's been waiting his whole life to tell someone who really wants to listen. Ask him about his first job, his biggest mistake, the moment he felt most proud. Ask him what he wishes he could tell his younger self. These aren't just stories – they're pieces of who he is, pieces he wants to share with you.

Do something you both enjoy, or better yet, try something neither of you has done before. It doesn't have to be big or expensive. Maybe it's learning to cook something together (and laughing when you mess it up). Maybe it's going for a walk and actually talking instead of looking at your phones. Maybe it's watching his favorite old movie and letting him tell you all about why it's so great.

Yeah, an actual letter. With a pen. Tell him the things you've never said out loud. Thank him for the little things – like how he always made sure you had lunch money, how he taught you to stand up for yourself, or how he never made you feel stupid for asking questions. Tell him about a moment when you felt proud to be his kid. Tell him how he's shaped who you are, even in ways you're just now realizing.

Maybe it's how to change a tire, or how to make his famous pancakes, or how to throw a proper punch. It doesn't matter what it is. What matters is that you're asking him to share his knowledge with you, and that makes him feel needed and valued in a way that goes way beyond any gift card.

The truth is, your dad has been giving you everything since the day you were born. His time, his energy, his worry, his love – all of it, without keeping score. He's been showing up for you in ways you probably don't even notice. He's been your biggest fan, your safety net, and your example of what it means to love someone unconditionally.

This Father's Day, give him the one thing that'll mean more than anything else – give him your heart, your time, your attention. Give him the chance to really know you, and let yourself really know him. Because at the end of the day, that connection, that bond between you two – that's the greatest gift either of you could ever receive.

Your dad doesn't need another tie. He needs to know that all those years of loving you, all those sacrifices he made, all those times he put you first – that it mattered. That you see him not just as a "dad" but as a person who has his own dreams, fears, and stories to tell.

So this Father's Day, give him something priceless. Give him you.