My dad often makes a lunch for me to take to work. In his mind, I am seven years old and really into books and ballet and classical music and math. Thankfully, I still eat like a seven-year-old, so things work out well. The best part of this lunch-making tradition is that my dad always includes a Post-It Poem, his corny and rhyming way of telling me he loves me. Are you gagging yet? Me too. It's awesome.
I was majorly bummed on Thursday, however, when I opened my oversized Microsoft lunchbox to find a bagel, a banana, Pop-Tarts, and a granola bar . . . but NO POST-IT NOTE!
My world came to a screeching halt, and I started running through everything I had said to my father that morning. Sadly, that was a bit of a dead end, since our conversations are always the same before noon.
"Good morning, Rach!" my father will sing merrily.
"Mmf."
Had my morning grunt been too harsh? Was he finally sick of it? Did he no longer love me?
I realized that he had probably been too busy to write a note, so I settled down and ate my lunch. I pushed the issue out of my head for the rest of the day, pleasantly distracted by workplace drama and a constant stream of jazz music.
My mother and I walked out the door at 5 p.m., grumbling about an ugly brochure or the humidity or how I need to hurry up and marry rich already. Our rant was cut short by the sound of my cell phone chirping. I pulled it of my purse and groaned. "1 New Message; Dad." This was bound to be cheesy.

(Animated image.)
There was no time
To make a rhyme
And stuff it in your lunch
So here's a note
That u can quote
I love you a whole bunch!!!
Dad
Lo and behold, it was really cheesy. Too cheesy for most mere mortals. A level of cheesy only attained by fathers and seniors. But I'll be darned if I don't love every cheesy little line of every dorky little poem.
Thanks, Dad. You're the best.

Comments (15)
Michael
June 8, 2008 3:36 PM
Awwwwww..... Your dad is awesome!
JB
June 8, 2008 3:47 PM
You have the best fucking dad in the world.
Jenn
June 8, 2008 4:56 PM
That's really cute! My dad used to leave post-it notes in my lunch. They never rhymed. They'd usually have a misspelled word or two as well.
Blindsquirrel
June 8, 2008 7:40 PM
When I was really little (before my teens) my dad used to leave my brothers and me notes (before post-its were popular). They weren't something that I looked forward to, though...it usually said something like, "Don't forget to pick up the dog poop in the back yard, or you'll be grounded."
amy324
June 8, 2008 7:41 PM
OMG, that is adorable. You are so lucky. :) I used to put notes in my boys' lunches until they started getting embarrassed about it in the lunch room. I should start again now with my high school son, as I have realized that part of my job as a parent is to embarrass him in front of his friends.
Jwewmiah
June 8, 2008 9:24 PM
That's an awesome dad alright.
Angela
June 8, 2008 11:51 PM
Your dad is awesome.
Joy @ Big Time Fancy
June 9, 2008 12:09 AM
Holy crap, that's too cute.
seven
June 9, 2008 1:24 AM
That's so cute.
Nat
June 10, 2008 10:30 PM
That is awsome. I love it. I want notes like that.
will
June 11, 2008 12:32 AM
That's pretty awesome.
GeekMommy
June 11, 2008 12:50 AM
I love this - I followed a link from Twitter, and it just totally made my day! :)
Daisy
June 11, 2008 6:51 AM
What a sweetie! He's a keeper. Your mom knew that when she said, "I do!"
Cereal Dieter
June 11, 2008 10:49 AM
awwww, that is the sweetest thing ever!!!!!
martin english
June 11, 2008 7:50 PM
G'day Rachel,
Followed a link from @failwhale and found this - It's awesome that your Dad is still willing to show he cares that much, but just as cool is the fact that tyou're willing to share it.
have fun :)