Happy Birthday! - Mansi

Dad,

Happy Birthday! Although Mom may jokingly disagree, you are a true role model for me. You have the unbelievable ability to bring life, vibrance and humor to any conversation. You light up a room with your laughter, your energy and your presence.

While any person who has ever met you can talk for ages about your humor and liveliness, I also want to point out how meaningful your advice has been over the years. Your balance of humor and wisdom is something I have never seen in another individual. The words you have told me about the meaning of success, the importance of relationships, and the balance of work and play are words I will hold with me forever.

I know that I don't always come across as being appreciative. I know that I don't call you as often as you would like, or get on skype that regularly. I know that I get hot tempered on the phone and at times it comes across like I am the quintessential, stereotypical Whartonite. For all of that I am sorry. I get so frustrated at myself when things like that get in the way of telling you how much I love you and how much you mean to me. I always tell everyone here about "how cool my dad is" and I do truly miss you every single day.

You are the best father. Not only are you humorous and wise but heck, you're open about your silly experiences getting taken advantage of with your food stands, smoking weed with your friends, using unsuccessful pick up lines on girls. I remember when I was much younger, you once said that you wanted to shift your role from being just a father to being a father and a friend. Dad, I can't think of any one who has done a better job of that. Seeing you in your element in Bangalore was a representation of just that. I can't wait for what's in store as we both grow older and closer. I love you so much and Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mansi

Happy Birthday Dad! - Chirag

Hi Dad,

Just wanted to wish you an amazing 55th, and wish I could be there in person to celebrate with you. However, I'm looking forward to spending the next few weeks together in Florida. I know the time is never long enough, and the days in between too many, but I'm really thankful that both me and Mansi can say we have a very special relationship with our Dad. Thank you for being a great role model, mentor and friend.

I wish I could I have seen you in your younger days, before you seemed to have things all figured out. Sometimes, the bar of achievement seems so high, and I wonder what your were like before mom, mansi and me came along. There is so much youth, life, joy and energy in everything you do, the way you bring energy into a room (even if you are prone to falling asleep in the middle of it). I wish I could know what gift to give, but somehow you always give more and ask less. I know Mansi has a gift planned she is aching to give you (she's better at planning ahead), but anyway, he're a big virtual hug from me to you.

I chose this background of a bright yellow paint roller partly for an obvious reason. In my mind, you'll always be involved with paints. But the second reason, was I feel like one the white expanse, you have always brought a blaze of colour. Whether its the crimson blaze of my cheeks when you gave me whiskey at ten days, or the firey blaze of every bon-fire you set up, every fireworks on diwali and every bbq in the backyard. Again, this analogy could go on. You are the protective polymer or the weather-proof coating, that shields us. Ok, I couldn't think of any others, but it was getting really silly.

Again, lots of love and look forward to seeing you soon!

Chirag