Throughout my career, my dad has been known for a few things. 

1. Always showing up for me. And 2. Always videotaping whatever event we were at. 

I feel like my entire life story is recorded because of him.

This past winter, when we were on a family vacation in Mexico, we started talking about the topic of memories. And while he was reminiscing about some of his childhood memories of a cabin in Wisconsin, he commented on how many memories were contained in old boxes of old Super8 films. You know, that technology that goes way, way back – like before VHS tapes….

And then he said, “I really want to get some of that old film digitized.”

That comment planted a seed for me.

I knew it was one of those things. Something you wistfully say in conversation…but then don’t actually do anything about afterward.

Well, earlier this week was my dad’s 70th birthday. The perfect time for me to do something about that comment.

Last month, I went to my parent’s house and, without my dad knowing, picked up those boxes of old films. Then, I found somewhere in Chicago that could digitize them for me without me having to send them away.

I always put a lot of intention into any gift. I don’t like just giving something for the sake of it. With this choice of gift, I wanted to wrap into the gift how much he was appreciated because the gift itself reflected who he was. Not just because these were his memories being digitized but because recording videos is sort of his thing. I always remember him carrying a video camera. So, giving him a gift of recorded memories was a bit of a full-circle moment of appreciation.

Throughout all my early bowling days, he was always there, recording those memories for me. Plus, through the years, he has captured all kinds of moments for our family too. Recording memories is really a gift he has always given me. Now I had a way to do something similar for him.

For the reveal, we invited my dad over for a birthday dinner. Afterward, we then took him downstairs to show him something on the television. He had no idea what he was about to see…

I digitized a selection of 19 different memories from the box of Super8 films, recorded moments spanning the 1950s, 60s and 70s. One of the videos was of his 21st birthday.

I’m happy to report that… he loved it. And it was SO FUN to see his reaction and watch it with him. He wanted to stay up late and watch all of the footage.

Before getting them digitized, I hadn’t seen my dad as a young kid on video. There is something about seeing how someone is through video, hearing their voice, that really makes you feel a certain way. The voices from the past cut through 5 decades to today – that in itself was amazing. Something a photograph could never do.

Watching them as a family  – including John and our kids – made the experience especially precious. Everyone got a glimpse into the early part of my dad’s life. We were able to witness memories that helped shape who he is now. 

Those videos also gave us all the gift of seeing his dad – my grandpa.

I never met my grandpa because he died when my dad was at college. So, those videos introduced us to him in such a real way. Before that, I had only ever seen pictures of him.

As I write this, thinking about that makes me a bit emotional. I am so grateful for everything that my dad has been for me. How he’s been there for me, always so giving. Always knowing how to be the best dad – and grandpa to my kids.

I often think about this – that his dad must have been so extraordinary. That he must have been the reason my own dad knew how to become such an incredible dad and grandpa. Even though his time with his dad was limited.

The gift was a great success…but the experience it created for us as a family was the best part of the gift. I can hardly imagine a better way to celebrate such a monumental birthday with him – creating new memories as a family while celebrating his love of memories.  

I think my dad was onto something with his love for recording moments through video too. Life happens at an alarming pace. Snapshots in time are great, but videos are even better. We can’t go back in time…  but it sure is wonderful having those moments recorded to look in on. 

I’m curious, have you ever gone digging through boxes of old memories or watched some really old videos or Super 8s? I’d love to hear about your own experiences down memory lane!