“I had 2 little girls when we adopted our third daughter, who has Down Syndrome.

Five months later we were surprised by an expected pregnancy. A few months after our 4th daughter was born, our daughter’s birth mother reached out and told us she was pregnant again. She wanted us to adopt him.

We did! We had 3 babies under the age of 3, an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old.

My dad called one day and asked if he could help me. He was working full-time but was able to leave work a few hours early once a week. He came every Thursday afternoon and stayed until they were all in bed to give me a break. He did it for over a year.

That was 7 years ago, but it still gives me a lump in my throat to think of his kind act of service. He is the absolute best.

This is my mom and dad with our 6 kids. (Yep…we had one more!)”

– Sarah Talbot

Want to share a story about fatherhood? Email fatherfigures@thedad.com

Check out the previous editions of Father Figures here.

It’s no secret that more and more dads are becoming involved in this parenting thing. We’ve always been there, but with the culture continuing to move forward, and social media helping expose our efforts, recognition has been growing.

A perfect example of the increased spotlight on involved dads is the popular Instagram hashtag #DadsDoHairToo which showcases thousands of dads helping their daughters do their hair. And that’s not the only hashtag that gathers photos and videos of fathers fashioning the favorite females’ hair into braids and ponytails and more. Others, like #hairbydad, #dadsdohair, and #daddyhairstylist, add hundreds more examples to the mix.

There are famous dads doing their best hair care, including Serena Williams’ husband, who, the star tennis player told Vogue, takes it upon himself to visit Facebook groups that offer tips for doing his daughter’s hair.

Most of these dads aren’t famous or married to celebrities, they’re just everyday dads doing what they can for their daughters, and taking pride in their handiwork! Some of the hairstyles these dads are whipping up are no joke. Bear with me as I make up names for these elaborate braids.

I call this one Lattice Work:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Summer time madness☀️ #dadsdohair #daddyhairstylist #dadsdohairtoo #dadlife #prouddaddy #prouddad #fatherdaughter #toddler #toddlerhairstyles #toddlerlife #toddlerstory #toddlerfashion #dadsdailydaughter #hairstyles #hair #parentlife #bonding #itsadadslife

A post shared by DaisyDoLittle (@dadsdailydaughter) on Jul 8, 2017 at 11:46am PDT

Going with Kris Kross on this one:

 

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I did a practice run last night so that all I had to do was redo it so save time. It’s a top X braid into braid pigtails. Saw it on Instagram but can’t remember who’s page it was. #dadsdohairtoo #easyhairstyles #dadsanddaughters #quickhairstyles

A post shared by HarpersDaddy (@harpersdaddy0) on Apr 8, 2019 at 9:42am PDT

Um, Thick AF? No, I’m being informed by the judges that this is actually a “French Braid,” my apologies:

 

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Check out this French braid. It was this Dads FIRST attempt at our Beer & Braids event today. I’d say he did a pretty awesome job!!!! Way to go to all the Dads today! You ROCKED it! #beer&braids #hisfirsttime #salonsplurge #dadsdohair #success #hedidgood #practice #dadscandohairtoo #daddoeshair

A post shared by Splurge salon (@salonsplurge) on Oct 21, 2018 at 5:58pm PDT

Silent But Deadly:

 

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Tonight’s episode of Hair styles of the Rage and the famous. Featuring Penelope, Produced by Rage. #dadsdohair

A post shared by Craig Rage McCaskill (@rageoss) on Oct 6, 2018 at 3:41am PDT

This dad and his daughter clearly know what they’re doing at this point:

 

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Our favorite Videos haven’t did one in a while 🤴🏽👸🏽❤️ #tbt

A post shared by TREACH HILL (@breeze_n_dad) on Feb 28, 2019 at 9:08am PST

Thankfully, this ace dad filmed himself at high-speed, because it must have taken him half the day to handle his twins’ hair and their younger sister’s.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#yup it’s just that #easy #dadlife #hairstyles #tresninas #dadsdohairtoo

A post shared by Mark Well (@birdseyeview4you) on Jun 21, 2018 at 6:39am PDT

This is some impressive work. I have two boys, and neither of them has the kind of hair that stands up to much more than some sprayed water and a tussle.

Maybe my wife will let me give it a shot?

Today is Father’s Day, and we at The Dad always do our best to celebrate not only the things that make dads special, but also to recognize the many different kinds of fathers, and father figures, that we all rely on. This includes those that aren’t biologically related to their children. Thankfully, we aren’t alone in appreciating them.

It’s always nice to see an undersung portion of the parenting community gets its due. Especially when that due comes in the form of a nationally televised commercial from one of America’s most popular brands.

If you haven’t seen the latest Budweiser commercial yet, get your hankies out. Because this Father’s Day, the King of Beers is paying homage to stepdads, and things get a little dusty.

The ad, entitled “For The Fathers Who Stepped Up” features three kids talking about their stepdads and the role they played in their lives. At the end of each segment, the kids pull out a piece of paper for their stepdad to sign in order to adopt them and “become [their fathers] for real.”

One young woman tells her stepfather: “Everything that my biological father promised that he would do, you actually came through and did.”

“On a day when the world celebrates fathers, Budweiser wants to shine an unexpected light on fatherhood. That’s why this Father’s Day, Budweiser is toasting stepfathers who love their stepchildren like their own,” Monica Rustgi, vice president of marketing for Budweiser, told Today by email.

In true dad fashion, after his daughter asks him to adopt her and in the midst of the emotional moment, literally mid-hug, one dad asks, “Does your mom know about this?” Shout out to that guy for not letting the moment get in the way of a killer joke! He truly is a dad.

Before the ad ends, probably right around the time you’re wiping your eyes, Budweiser asks viewers to share their stories about how a father stepped up, and for everyone they get, the brewery promises to donate a dollar to the Stepfamily Foundation to support blended families. The screen momentarily reads “For all the stepfathers” before the “step” is erased and it just reads “For all the fathers. This Bud’s for you.”

Needless to say, some of the more than 1 million viewers who’ve seen the ad have gotten a tad emotional online.

This had me tearing up this morning. I’m fortunate to have both a dad and a stepdad in my life but not every kid does… https://t.co/CZ8pNBqLmE

— 96.5 The Bull (@965TheBullMacon) June 13, 2019

I absolutely love this! I know we are celebrating Father’s Day, but I must add stepmoms also adopt. My 18 year old daughter asked me to adopt her last year. It was one of the best moments of my life ❤

— Paula Mccloud (@MccloudPaula) June 13, 2019

This was absolutely beautiful. Great to see good men step up and truly love a child who is fatherless. Tears of joy for the honor these children bestowed upon these dedicated men 😂👏

— Emmanuel Parks (@RanEmmanuel) June 12, 2019

Every week we pan for comedy gold in the comments section of our Facebook posts. If your comment cracks us up (or warms our hearts) we’ll showcase it here!

Here’s this week’s roundup of the 10 Best Comments of the Week:

1. What?!

2. Due Diligence

3. One Leg at a TIme

4. The 2%

5. Crickey

6. Nothing Else Matters

7. Unreliable

8. Happy Thanksgiving

9. No Filter

10. Dad Service Announcement

Check out the previous edition of The Best Comments of the Week here.

He was a beloved actor in 44 films, but many people don’t know that John Candy was first and foremost a family man. Now, 25 years after his untimely death, his kids are doing their best to honor their father’s wonderful legacy while also making serious waves of their own.

The 1994 film Wagons East, was Candy’s final movie. Before traveling to Mexico to shoot, the 43-year-old told actress Catherine O’Hara that he felt something bad was going to happen there. He had been away from his family for most of the year and vowed that this would be his last film.

“I don’t know if he was excited to work on it or wasn’t,” Candy’s son, Chris, said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “Richard Lewis, who worked with him on that movie, told me he was so much fun and so funny, but when he looked at my dad, he looked so tired.”

The night of Candy’s fatal heart attack, he had a brief exchange with the night watchman on the premises before going to his room for the night—his exact words: “I’m so tired. All I want to do is go home and be with my family.”

I’ll leave you with this quote , my favorite line ! “Love…is not a big enough word ~Del Griffith . “ 25 years. Wow. His legacy truly lives on thru his family, friends and fans! Thank you ❤️ Ps. I would love that #adidas dress in adult size!! @ChrisCandy4u #JohnCandy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6AAeW861S3

— Jennifer Candy (@TheRealJenCandy) March 4, 2019

Chris and his sister, Jen, openly talk about their father’s death and the events leading up to it; they consider it cathartic.

“I was 9. It was a Friday,” Chris said. “I remember talking to him the night before he passed away and he said, ‘I love you and goodnight.’ And I will always remember that.”

Jen added, “I remember my dad the night before. I was studying for a vocabulary test. I was 14. He had just come home for my 14th birthday, which is Feb. 3. So I was talking to him on the phone, and, I hate this, but I was slightly distant because I was studying. So I was like, ‘Yeah, OK, I love you. I will talk to you later. Have a great night.’ Then I hang up, and I go back to studying.”

The news the following day was brutal. The kids were suddenly caught in the spotlight, trying their best to grieve while caught in a whirlwind of paparazzi.

On the day of the funeral, they witnessed just how impactful their father—the man who loved them so intimately—had been on their community.

“I remember when we were ready to take him to [Holy Cross Cemetery], they blocked off [Interstate] 405 from Sunset [Boulevard] all the way to Slauson [Avenue],” Chris described. “LAPD stopped traffic and escorted us all. I still can’t believe that. Whenever I feel like I lose the importance of him to people, I just remember that happened. They do that for the president.”

23 years ago today and he is still on my mind. All the love to my father! pic.twitter.com/dbjZL1r8nA

— Chris Candy (@ChrisCandy4u) March 4, 2017

According to Chris and Jen, Candy was just as warm and endearing as many of his onscreen personas, though no single part nails him completely.

“Johnny LaRue was most him, to an extent,” Jen said. “And the reason I say that is Johnny LaRue was a business guy, he was lovable, but Dad was not smarmy. You mix that with Uncle Buck and Del Griffith [from Planes, Trains and Automobiles] and you’ve got my dad. He brought a little bit of himself to all of his characters.”

While Candy fiercely loved his wife and kids, his family will always remember the way he yearned to help those who were less fortunate through various organizations.

“He was constantly working with some sort of charity,” Jen said, naming Make-A-Wish and the Pediatric AIDS Foundation as only a couple on a long list. “He liked to make people laugh and feel good. And with certain kinds of charity work, especially with kids, he could do that, and that made him feel good.”

While everyone likely has a favorite Candy role, the one that meant the most to him was that of Dean Andrews Jr., the aberrant New Orleans lawyer in Oliver Stone’s JFK (1991).

“JFK was my favorite of him for the longest time because he is so good in it,” Jen says. “He worked so hard on that. He had a dialect coach, and he worked night and day on that script. He was so worried about it, getting that accent down.”

In fact, Jen has a clear memory of a night when Candy was working on the part. “We were having water fights with our cousin while Dad was trying to learn lines, and we did get yelled at because we were being too loud. It was a ‘dad’ yell. He never yelled.”

As for Candy’s favorite filmmakers, he had a special kinship with writer and director, John Hughes. In total, Candy appeared in eight films that were written, directed, or produced by Hughes.

“I know there were films he didn’t want to do, but with John Hughes, it was always ‘What’s the next one? You gotta hurry up and write something,’ because they were perfect for each other,” Jen said.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), a Thanksgiving classic, is still regarded as some of Candy and Hughes’s best work together, achieving a staggering 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Chris recounts a story Hughes shared about a classic scene from the film: “They were really overbudget and overscheduled, and Paramount was coming down to get everything going. Well, that was the day they were filming the scene with the devil costume. My dad had the idea that it would be funny if Steve [Martin] saw Del as the devil. So [the Paramount execs] finally get on set and Dad is walking around in this devil costume, and they’re like ‘What the hell does this have to do with anything?!'”

Chris and Jen, now both actors and comedians in their own right, are doing their best to honor their iconic father while also forging their own paths in the entertainment industry.

“It took a while for us to even use the name,” Jen said. “I wanted to develop who I was as a person, develop what I wanted to do. We have had people say, ‘Call so and so and have them do this for you,’ and I have said, ‘No, I don’t want to do that.'”

The siblings have both done voice work on their father’s cartoon, Camp Candy, and Jen hosts a monthly talk show at Second City Hollywood called Couch Candy, where she interviews various stars who worked with her father.

“It makes me feel so good to have him as a Dad,” Jen told Ottawa Life. “Everyone says such sweet things and how he was so relatable and found that they could connect with him without knowing him.”

She says hardly a day goes by when somebody doesn’t reach out to her either on social media or in person to describe the unique ways John Candy influenced them.

“He’s not really gone because we talk about him so much, and we’ll always open a box and there’s a billion photos of him. So, it’s like, there he is,” Chris explained.

“As much as he is gone, he is not gone,” Jen concludes. “He is always there.”

110 years ago in a small church in Spokane, Washington, Sonora Smart Dodd listened to a sermon on the newly recognized “Mother’s Day” celebration. Having lost her own mom more than a decade prior, Dodd and her five siblings had been raised by her father, William Jackson Smart. A hardworking farmer and veteran of the Civil War, Smart had moved his family from Arkansas to Washington following the passing of his wife. Dodd, who held her father in high esteem, immediately felt compelled to honor him, and fathers everywhere, with their own special day of recognition.

Following the sermon, Dodd contacted the Spokane Ministerial Alliance, sharing her thoughts on the subject and suggesting her own father’s birthday of June 5th as a possible date. While they agreed with her stance on recognizing dads, the church instead chose the third Sunday in June for an annual Father’s Day service.

The following year, on June 19, 1910, parishioners in Spokane celebrated the very first official Father’s Day. While the event continued on and gained some traction at churches regionally over the next few decades, it failed to attract widespread attention on the national stage.

In 1939, retailers from around the country formed the National Council for the Promotion of Father’s Day in an attempt to… well… sell more ties. From clothiers to sporting goods stores, business jumped at the chance to have an annual mid-year, holiday-driven sales boost. Unfortunately, the endeavor would take quite a bit longer to build up steam than initially anticipated.

Decades later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation encouraging states and municipalities to cooperate in celebrating its observance. However, it wasn’t until 1972 that a permanent, nationally recognized day of observance was established by President Richard Nixon. Sonora Smart Dodd, the woman who is officially recognized as the founder of father’s day, was still alive to see it, passing away six years later.

These days, over 75 percent of Americans will celebrate the holiday, spending an estimated $16 billion on gifts for dad, according to an annual survey via the National Retail Federation (NRF). “Over the past decade, spending on Father’s Day gifts has increased significantly. Retailers are ready with gifts that will have no problem impressing dad,” says NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

Father’s Day spending has grown 70 percent in just the past 10 years, a trend that shows no signs of slowing, but still falls short of the whopping $25 billion we spent on moms last year.

While the commercialization of the holiday is far from what Sonora Smart Dodd had originally intended, dads around the world can thank her for having at least one Sunday on the calendar with their name on it… and a few extra silk ties in their closet.

With Disney acquiring popular licenses left and right (hello, X-Men), it’s no surprise that they’re beefing up their theme parks with rides and attractions from world-renowned, beloved franchises. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just opened its doors at Disneyland in Anaheim and, even though all the rides aren’t even open yet, people are already losing their minds over it.

The newest themed area, however, is already well on its way to being completed and it’s none other than, you guessed it… Marvel.

Nothing official is being divulged by Disney yet, but according to recently filed building permits in Anaheim, there are huge superhero-themed developments making their way to “the happiest place on earth.” We’re talking character meet-and-greets, merch stores (because where else are you gonna get your perfect replica of Mjolnir), and even a themed microbrewery.

Stark Industries logo up on the Bug’s Land construction wall #DCA #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/D8YIeRxvhc

— TouringPlans (@TouringPlans) September 6, 2018

Marvel Land (which will undoubtedly have a different name since “Marvel” is not allowed to be used in theme parks) will replace “A Bug’s Land,” which closed last fall. Disney being Disney, the area has been closed off with low-key “Stark Industries” branding, teasing guests as they wildly speculate what’s happening behind the walls.

Recently, the Tower of Terror ride was revamped into Guardians of the Galaxy: MISSION BREAKOUT and it’s certainly no coincidence that it sits just adjacent to this newly developing part of the park. They’re undoubtedly planning to tie the entire area together.

Additionally, while no publicized information has been provided regarding which other Disney parks will follow suit with their own Marvel-themed attractions, leaked concept art for Disneyland Paris suggests plans for various Avengers-themed attractions in the future.

Don’t get ready to assemble just yet, though. Disneyland’s new Marvel-themed area isn’t scheduled to open until 2020, but we expect to learn more from the annual D23 Expo in August.

This week, in honor of Father’s Day, Jimmy Fallon asked Twitter to post their favorite #DadQuotes. It’s become clear to us that our fathers are not simply fathers.

They’re geniuses.

When I was in third grade, we were moving to a new house and I was devastated. I was crying so hard and I asked my dad why we had to move. He responded with, “Because you always leave your towels on the floor.” I’ve hung up my towels every day since. #DadQuotes

— Bethany Loggins (@bethany_loggins) June 12, 2019

Well, sometimes.

(When my dad got his first smart phone) “Hey Heather, when does the App Store open?” #DadQuotes

— Heather Rou (@HeatherRou) June 12, 2019

They’re casanovas.

one time my siblings and I were minding our own business in the kitchen and my dad looks at us and laughs, when asked he replies “everyone in this room is here because I got laid” #DadQuotes

— useless ranting (@popessidegame) June 12, 2019

Teachers.

@jimmyfallon #DadQuotes The other day we saw someone sniff a coupon. My dad looked at me, dead serious, and said “That’s how you know the coupon’s still good.”

— Justin Bush (@Justin_BQuinnic) June 12, 2019

One-man bands.

#DadQuotes Every time my Dad passes gas loudly he exclaims, “Still works!”

— Heather McIntyre (@acroninja) June 12, 2019

Comedians.

At dinner one night my brothers phone buzzed. He got an alert saying that George Michael had died. Without missing a beat my dad says “Wham..Just like that….” #DadQuotes

— Craig McNabb (@craig_mcnabb) June 12, 2019

Fans of the classics.

EVERY time we drove by a cemetery with a fence around it my dad would ask “Do you know why there is a fence around that cemetery?? People are dying to get in there” #DadQuotes

— James McNeely (@james_on18) June 12, 2019

Academics.

Every time we’re at the beach and one of us goes into the water my dad will without fail ask “How’s the water? Wet?” #dadquotes

— Eleanor Kennedy (@eleanorkennedy) June 12, 2019

Optimists.

My dad accidentally used dry shampoo as deodorant n said ‘well at least my armpit hair will look flawless’ #DadQuotes

— Jordan ‎ (@ughimtiredd) June 12, 2019

Tastemakers.

This morning my dad said “all inclusive” when trying to tell me we had everything bagels. From now on I shall refer to and only order “all inclusive bagels”. #dadquotes

— Alexandra Veintidós (@alex_andra22) June 11, 2019

Makers of fair points.

#DadQuotes When I told my Dad he should set up an email account, he said, “Your mother already has one. Why do we need two emails in one house?”

— Arlena Witt (@wittamina) June 12, 2019

Devotees.

Everytime my mom made food but my dad didn’t want to say it was bad, when she asked he’d say “It’s like a circus in my mouth #DadQuotes

— Tim Morrison (@tmorrison519) June 12, 2019

Poets.

When people at stores or restaurants ask my Dad “how are you?” Or “how’s it going?” His response is always “teetering on the brink of magnificence” ALL. THE. TIME. #DadQuotes

— Niki Rydell (@plhsecon) June 12, 2019

Realists.

“Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then” is what he’d tell me if I ever won a game against him. #DadQuotes

— ManofSteele520 (@ChrisSteele8) June 12, 2019

And, eventually, granddads.

My grandfather, sitting in the post op room after having glaucoma surgery with me, a nurse and my grandmother. I see his zipper is down and tell him that it’s down. At 80 years old, doesn’t miss a beat, and just replies with “What can’t get up, can’t get out” #dadquotes

— Joseph Meuse (@JoeMeuse81) June 12, 2019

Father’s Day is finally upon us, and there’s no greater gift than laughter. Well, maybe one of those electric rotating tie racks. Ooh, or one of those pressure cookers. Most massage chairs, come to think of it. Okay fine, so laughter might not be the best Father’s Day gift, but it’s certainly the most inexpensive. Honor this annual celebration of paternity with these 15 hilarious tweets about the holiday.

First, a disclaimer:

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there except the one in Cat’s in the Cradle.

— John Lyon (@JohnLyonTweets) June 17, 2018

It’s important to remember the true meaning of the day.

the apostrophe in “father’s day” indicates that this day is meant to celebrate one dad only. my guess is Gene, down the street

— chuuch (@ch000ch) June 21, 2015

There are many ways to celebrate it. You could call your dad.

Called my dad to wish him a Happy Father’s Day and we spent the whole time discussing back pain and ibuprofen. The circle is now complete.

— Dad and Buried (@DadandBuried) June 17, 2018

But you don’t get internet points for that.

A thoughtful way to honor your dad on Father’s Day is to post a picture of him on a social media site that he doesn’t know how to use.

— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) June 21, 2015

Perhaps you can start his day with a hearty breakfast.

For Father’s Day my kids spilled me breakfast in bed.

— Simon Holland (@simoncholland) June 21, 2015

Followed by a road trip to his favorite place.

Father’s Day tip: forgot a gift? Drop him off at The Home Depot and let him play with all the other dads.

— luke [from online] (@internetluke) June 21, 2015

Just remember: all dads are different.

Every Father’s Day at midnight the HomeDepot dads and the Lowe’s dads rumble “Westside Story” style in a neutral Costcos parking lot.

— 🄱Ⓜ🅰🅓 (@1_swarthy_dude) August 25, 2014

This is a holiday steeped in tradition. Some good…

Every year on Father’s Day Eve a dad climbs down the chimney and sets your thermostat to the perfect temperature.

— ᎽᎪᎬᏞ (@elle91) June 19, 2017

…some not so good.

Father’s Day; NOUN ; an occasion to get to like 2nd and ½ base and then some kid comes in asking for an apple

— dadpression (@Dadpression) June 18, 2017

So it all comes down to the perfect gift.

For Father’s Day my infant only pooped through 2 layers of clothing instead of the normal 3.

— mark (@TheCatWhisprer) June 21, 2015

Think hard on what your dad is passionate about.

Me: Dad I got you a thermostat we can all control from an app on our phones for Father’s Day

Dad: *struggling to get up from his la-z-boy* YOU SON OF A BITCH

— Boog (@BoogTweets) June 11, 2018

It doesn’t have to be a gift you can wrap!

Get your dad what he really wants this Father’s Day by turning off the lights when you leave a room.

— Mike Primavera (@primawesome) June 18, 2015

Just make sure you send the right message.

when your father’s day gift makes you question if you’re still alive pic.twitter.com/OcXz17WyZN

— Grant Tanaka (@GrantTanaka) June 18, 2017

Dads never forget their Father’s Day gifts.

My 4 yr old son gave me a hand made card for Father’s Day. Maybe for Christmas I’ll draw him a picture of some toys.

— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) June 20, 2010

So be sure to make it a special one!

Father’s Day coming up. Can’t wait to be served Norovirus in bed.

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) June 11, 2018