This is my father Mark (on the right) after he shaved my head this past summer.

Waiting in the parking lot this fine summer morning was made difficult beings I knew my father would be surprised when he saw me. He wasn't expecting me to be in town until later that day, but my morning plans had shifted and here I was, smack dab in the middle of the Mason City Aqua Center parking lot, thinking of how I might react someday if my child surprised me with a earlier arrival time then planned on. I don't have children yet, but it's hard not to imagine being a father in the near future. In fact, in a few minutes, my dad and I would be in the swimming pool swimming laps side by side. Every once in a while we would wait for one another at either end of the pool, exchange a high five or hug, and then continue on as we only had an hour to swim. Although my dad and I didn't live in the same house for an extended time in my life, I think the last few years we've both made special time for each other where we can spend some good quality father & son time. I only hope I will be doing this years down the line.