Anissa & Steve
Steve's love language - Food & Shopping
Steve had such a big heart. If you were lucky enough, you got to witness his killer humour and deep laugh. His love language was through food and shopping. I was fortunate enough to spend my teenage and young adult years living with a semi-professional chef who would talk about anything and everything with me while cooking. He loved to spoil us, no matter how much mom said we didn’t need fancy things. I’ll never forget pointing out that Brad Paisley was coming to MN (I maybe knew 5 of his songs) and Steve took it upon himself to get tickets. We had a blast, just the two of us, and when he came back from the “bathroom” I was now the owner of a pink cowboy hat.
When I was cheerleading at football games, he was there to support me - going so far as to learn the cheers and reciting them in the car or restaurant for comedic effect. A few summers I worked at his office and we spent our commuting time listening to music and discussing what qualifies as fast driving. He cared for his employees and their well-being, taking money out of his own pockets to help them.
He loved my mom well and they had many happy years together. He pushed me to aspire big and follow my dreams, which is how I met my husband. He knew and would never try to be “dad” but I was lucky to have him as a step-dad for 10 years. He walked me down the wedding aisle and joked with me during the father/daughter dance.
Steve Took his Step-Dad Role Seriously
When I was a candidate for the town ambassador, it was customary that the father walk the daughter onto the stage. Steve took his role as step-dad seriously and walked me out in front of hundreds of people. I was so glad to have him there with me, telling me a joke before our turn to help take my mind off the nerves.
Steve was there supporting me through all the big milestones - graduating high school, choosing a college, study abroad, college graduation, getting married. He was always so supportive and cheering me on.
Steve was always there for me. On my wedding day, I remember someone needed a bandaid for something so Steve was sent to the store. In a very Steve move, he ended up buying an entire first aid box! (This ended up being useful later, maybe he had the foresight?)
I was so glad to know Steve. He was so honoured to do the father/daughter dance with me and I was honoured he agreed. He was cracking jokes and asked if the day was all I ever dreamed.
In later years, Steve wasn't a huge picture guy but he was dutifully present for all wedding pictures and keeping everyone laughing all day.
He Went Above and Beyond
I was having a joint-graduation party with my friend and so we expected more people to come than an average party. Steve and I had decided on the “menu” and made a plan. We were already going to have the best fare after choosing hand-made chicken and steak kebabs. But Steve was worried about having enough food and went a little rogue, cooking additional food like spaghetti cups. It was so Steve to make food for a small army but every person commented how amazing the food was. Steve’s cooking was unmatched!
The Continual Jokester
Steve was always the jokester. He was goofing around with my great-aunt that neither of them were looking in the family pictures.
Always goofing around - like father like son (see photo of Grampa Dave and Steve).
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