By April Rodgers, Content Coordinator | FreeWire—Your News, Your Voice
Dad jokes. You either love them or you groan and shake your head while secretly loving them. I recently asked a few local dads to share their go-to zingers in honor of Father’s Day, and let’s just say—they delivered.
Art Payne didn’t hesitate:
“How do you weigh a millennial? In Insta-grams.”
A classic pun, perfectly groan-worthy.
Greg Leonhardt gave us not one but two:
“How did Burger King get Dairy Queen pregnant? He forgot to wrap his Whopper.”
And, “What does a robot do after a one-night stand? He nuts and bolts.”
See? Whether the jokes land or crash and burn, the point is—they keep coming. Because that’s what dads do. They show up, even if it’s with a terrible punchline.
When I talked to Brian Shell, the conversation turned to legacy. What does he hope his son, Derek, remembers most about him?
Brian said, “I hope Derek always remembers that even when I had to work a lot, I took time to try and do a lot of fun things—like play baseball with him and go fishing—and that he knows I’ll always do anything I can to help him.”
It’s not always about the big speeches. Sometimes it’s a few quiet moments at a pond or a baseball field that stick the most.
Jamie Bierce was asked, what’s been the most surprising thing about being a dad to Carter, 17, and Miranda, 13?
He said, “The kids grow up so fast it’s like they was just born and now they’re almost adults.”
That realization—how fatherhood moves at warp speed—hits home for a lot of dads. Blink, and your babies are teenagers.
I didn’t want to leave Tina Shell out of the conversation when talking to her husband. She lost both her father and stepfather, and when I asked what she misses most, her answer was simple but profound:
“I miss just the everyday talks. Getting a phone call to check in.”
Isn’t that the truth? So much of fatherhood is in the consistency—those regular moments we don’t even realize are anchoring us until they’re gone.
When I asked my dad, Harold Rodgers, what it’s been like being the sole audience to my one-woman show all these years—as the lucky father of an only child who’s obviously so awesome (not that I’m bragging)—he didn’t miss a beat.
“What a pain in the ass!” he said, which honestly tracks.
But then he added, “I enjoyed watching you grow up and I’m grateful for my four grandsons and to be able to go to the school and watch all their activities.”
Sarcasm aside, that’s the kind of dad he’s always been—blunt, involved, and quietly proud. I’ll take it.
I’m also lucky to have a stepfather who helped raise me—Robert Dewalt. He came into my life when I was 13, and even though my mom is gone now, he’s still there. I’m also his only child. I really appreciate it and hope he knows I love him and am thankful for all he’s done and continues to do for me and my boys.
I can’t leave this man out, Art, my husband, who wanted to be there—to be the dad to Cam and Cory and the stepfather to Christian and Chase—thank you. We love you and appreciate you.
So this Father’s Day, here’s to the dads who make us laugh, the ones who make time even when it’s hard, and the ones whose love shows up in the everyday calls, the fishing trips, the sideline cheers, and yes—those dad jokes that make us cringe and smile at the same time.
Here’s to the stepdads, adoptive dads, foster dads, pet dads, and all the men who show up and stick around. Whether you raised a child from birth or chose to step in and love someone else’s as your own—your presence matters.
Happy Father’s Day to all the men who show up. You matter more than you know.
