Amazing Dads and the Stories That Stay With Us
This Father's Day, we honor the quiet heroes whose steady love shapes our lives in lasting ways.
Jun 15, 2025
Written by our Founder and Chairman, the Celebrations Pulse letters aim to engage with our community. By welcoming your ideas and sharing your stories, we want to help you strengthen your relationships with the most important people in your life.
Some of the most important lessons our Amazing Dads teach aren’t spoken aloud. We learn by watching how they handle pressure and carry themselves. You might not realize at the time that you were learning, but later in life, you’ll reflect and understand, “That’s where I got that from!”
The stories we tell about our dads keep their influence alive. Maybe it was a shared project in the garage, a quiet fishing trip, or just knowing he’d always show up. These memories and stories not only honor our fathers but also remind us of the values they instilled in us.
My dad, a painting contractor, is a good example. When I was in high school, he’d take me along to trade shows and introduce me to his friends and colleagues. That was my first glimpse into the business world. More importantly, it was a lesson in how to lead. He never said, “Here’s how it’s done.” He showed me.
Father’s Day gives us a reason to reflect on the men who raised us, taught us, and — often quietly — shaped our lives. And if we’re fortunate enough to still have them with us, it’s a chance to ask a few more questions and create a few more stories.
An Amazing Dad on a mission
Dads come in all shapes and sizes — and so do their stories.
Last year, I crossed paths with Jarod Carter at an XPRIZE gathering, a meeting place for bold thinkers and big ideas. Jarod’s story started in a deeply personal place: with his twins and a diagnosis that would change everything.
His son and daughter were born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy. A newly approved treatment that helped slow the disease's progression arrived just in time, but there were still unanswered questions: Could the damage already done be reversed? Most scientists said no. Once nerve cells die, most believe, they’re gone for good.
Jarod wasn’t ready to accept that.
He rolled up his sleeves and went to work. He launched NeuronRegen, a platform and podcast connecting researchers, doctors, caregivers, families, and anyone dedicated to healing the nervous system. Whether it’s spinal cord injuries, ALS, Alzheimer’s, or a stroke, Jarod is building a movement around the idea that neuron regeneration is possible.
What struck me most about Jarod wasn’t just his credentials (yes, he has a doctorate), but his motivation. In every step of his journey, he’s a dad first and one who refuses to wait for the world to catch up. So, he started building the bridges himself.
It’s the kind of fatherhood that’s built on late-night work and a hope that never fades. It’s not about doing everything right but always being there. And that, more than anything, is the heart of being an Amazing Dad.
When simply being there is enough
Over the past few weeks, I invited our community to share stories about Amazing Dads. The response was incredible. And while every story was unique, a thread ran through them all: Fatherhood, in its many forms, so often comes down to presence, steadiness, and kindness.
Barbara, for example, remembers waking up from surgery to see her dad — who usually couldn’t sit still — waiting patiently at her side. “When I told him he could go home, he said, ‘Not a chance,’” she recalls. Later, during another hospital stay, he brought her newspapers, a cribbage board, and just enough tough love to make her laugh again.
Brianna, another community member, shared how her father, suddenly a single parent after her mother passed away, worked night shifts but never missed a game, recital, or parent-teacher meeting. “Being there for us was always his top priority,” she said.
Amazing Dads leading by example
Monique remembers the day her sister made a joke about a neighbor’s eviction. Their father, gently but firmly, said, “We never celebrate another person’s misfortune.” That simple moment stayed with them. “His compassion became a compass for all of us,” Monique wrote.
Christine’s dad survived a Siberian labor camp at age 13, came to America, and quietly rebuilt a life of strength and artistry. His courage inspired her to become a social worker. “He taught me to be strong and never to play the victim,” she said. “His kindness made me a better person. I miss him every day.”
Michelle shared memories of her dad, a doctor, inviting her on his hospital rounds. “I saw firsthand how much he was respected and loved by his patients and colleagues,” she wrote. Through him, she learned what it means to care deeply, build community, and honor each chapter of life. She hopes his story continues to inspire future generations.
"You have to leave the dock"
I’ll end with one story that really stayed with me. Kathleen shared the story of her father, Bob, a World War II pilot who spent years building a 36-foot sailboat. His dream was to sail the South Pacific. Kathleen wrote:
“Dad commuted one hour each way to his job for 32 years and worked on his dream boat for seven years. Nights and weekends were spent preparing for the voyage. Mom supported his dream and was in charge of logistics, getting licenses, visas, and more. Neighbors helped fabricate boat parts, delivered spare rigging, and offered encouragement and prayers. It took a village to make his dream come true.”
In 1981, Bob took an early retirement and embarked on his voyage, joined by Kathleen and her new husband. They crossed oceans, faced storms, and shared quiet sunrises. Less than a year later, Bob passed away. But his legacy lives on in a phrase he often repeated: “You have to leave the dock.”
It’s a reminder that life’s greatest journeys begin with a leap of faith — and often, with a father’s gentle push and determination.
All the best,
Jim
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AUTHOR
Jim McCann is the founder and chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. as well as a business leader, author, and philanthropist with a passion for helping people deliver smiles. Devoted to helping others, he also founded Smile Farms, a 501(c)3 organization that provides meaningful jobs in agricultural settings to young adults and adults with developmental disabilities.
