Father's Day is on Sunday, June 16. This is my tribute to Fathers and Heroes everywhere.
When we think about heroes, we think about tough soldiers, cute cowboys, knights in shining armor, Regency lords, sexy detectives. We think about strong arms, sexy bodies, great loving. But all of these images are of heroes that are… single.
What about heroes that are fathers?
I started thinking of some famous Dads in literature, television and the cinema, and how they, too, have something to offer the heroine. In fact, I would say they have a little something extra, which is why I love to re-read their books and re-watch the films and sitcoms.
Here are some noteworthy Heroes and Fathers that should not be forgotten:
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| Rhett Butler and his Bonnie Blue. |
Atticus from TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD – the epitome of honor and valor. He is the quintessential single dad.
Brett Butler in GONE WITH THE WIND – true, he is only a father for eight short years, but he was a doting and caring father to his Bonnie Blue.
Mr. Bennett from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE – not good at managing money, but he did love his five daughters.
Arthur Weasley from the HARRY POTTER series – his love for adventure is catching, and he always has a spot at his table for a lonely orphan.
Carlisle Cullen from the TWILIGHT series – his love for humanity is always evident.
Frank Beardsley from “Yours, Mine and Ours” (film) – definitely Father of the Year with 18 kids! The wife had eight; he had ten. He was the picture of patience, tolerance, and sanity. And believe it or not, this film was based on an actual family!
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| Huxtable father and son |
Mike Brady from “The Brady Bunch” (TV) – he made fatherhood look easy, even when three girls joined his family of three boys. Talk about battle of the sexes!
Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable from “The Cosby Show” (TV) – first African-American Family of TV; his fatherly advice was witty, funny and on-point.
Dan Conners from “Roseanne” (TV) – he was an average Joe with a big family, with real problems, but always very supportive of wife, kids and even wacky in-laws.
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| Parenting with a Latino flavor |
George Lopez from “George Lopez” (TV) – parenting with a Latino flavor; Papi’s love of family was the whole show.
Richard Castle from “Castle” (TV) – he may be a big child himself, but he refused to hire a nanny and raised his daughter, singlehandedly, to be a bright, well-grounded young lady.
Mustafa from “The Lion King” (Disney film) – indulgent but strict; He taught his cub how to be a man, as well as a King.
I’m sure you can think of a few more Dads from books, TV or the cinema. What do they all have in common? What “something extra” do these fathers bring to their union? I believe it’s a ready-made commitment, an instant loyalty to their family. They are in a different stage of “development” from single men. They are lovers and fathers. They can woo their mate, as well as cuddle their child, and often simultaneously.
And I don’t know about you, but the sight of a tough rugged warrior gently braiding his daughter’s hair or a Regency lord teaching his son to ride or a modern father playing catch with his kids gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Looking at their love for their child makes me fall in love with the hero all over again. And isn’t that what we all want in a romance? We want a strong man, a wonderful lover and a great father that we can spend the rest of our lives with. These men are all that –Fathers and Heroes!
Happy Father’s Day.♥
