My dad taught me many, many skills. To observe from a distance before making a judgement, the desire to work hard behind the scenes, and ability to stay calm in a crisis. I'm thankful that he taught me to not let my gender stop me from doing whatever I wanted to do, but to do it in a "oh, you think I can't? Ok, then... Just watch" way, not a "equal opportunity laws say you HAVE to" way. Again, that work hard behind the scenes thing. Although I am social and outgoing (I get that from my mom), I'm much like him. Neither one of us get to wrapped around the axle about much. Most things aren't worth the energy of getting upset. But if you cross me after getting fair warning or if hurt someone I love, I'll burn your fucking house down (so to speak). It doesn't happen often, but when someone sees that side of me, they usually say "Where the hell did that come from?" He's the same way.
For all you dads reading this... I wish my dad told me he loved me verbally a bit more when I was young. I always KNEW, but I didn't hear it often. He's made up for it as an adult, but I wish I had that reassurance (not just an assumption). I think it's made me a bit reserved in saying it as an adult. In most of my relationships, the guy has said it first. I think in some cases, that it becomes a challenge to get me to say it. They do whatever they need to do to get me to say it back and even the playing field... not out of the desire to be genuine and further the relationship. Not always, but sometimes... often enough to notice the trend. I'm sure it happens when the genders are reversed, but still. A man's ego can be a fragile thing.