I went down to Indianapolis today under the guise of looking at some semi tractors to buy. Truth be told, a day earlier when I got the fax listing the equipment available, I was virtually certain I wouldn't buy anything.

My big reason for going was to see my daughter. ;o) Monday she took her last final of the semester marking the end of her first year of law school. She'll be starting work next week so this was the perfect time to go.

I met her after lunch at the new home she and her husband built in Noblesville (just north of Indianapolis) and it is beautiful. We had a couple hours before her husband would be home from work. We could have just stayed there and talked but I told her I was taking her shopping and off we went. I knew she needed some new clothes for her job so the timing was right.

We had a great time. She'd pick something or I'd pick something then we'd coordinate it with something else then she'd go try it on and show me. I was so flattered she still wants my opinion.

She won't buy anything unless it's on sale and I was amazed at what she was able to buy. Understand this is all brand new attire appropriate for a law office bought at a large shopping mall. We bought tops, skirts, sweaters and a dress. Everything was just gorgeous on her (of course, being a 6' tall size six probably helps). We averaged right at $20 per piece including the dress. There were a few things she liked but that weren't in her size we were able to get sent from other stores.

Now get this. Based on what we spent we got five certificates for $25 off any $50 purchase in June. The manager who helped us said she'd hold the stuff coming from the other stores so the certificates would apply on top of the sale prices! I have to tell you all how much fun I had doing this with her. She was so surprised at the whole shopping trip thing that it was just that much better. She had planned on just staying at home until her husband got home and then going out to dinner.

We finished our shopping sortie and then went to a wonderful restaurant in Indianapolis I knew where her husband joined us and we had an incredible meal. The restaurant makes a point of noting the fact that they don't have steak knives; their steaks are so tender you don't need them! We stayed and talked about anything and everything and just had a great time. On the trip home all I could think about was what a wonderful day I'd had. ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), May 08, 2002

Answers

Sounds like fun...Glad you had such a nice time.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), May 08, 2002.

Just reading about how much you enjoy your daughter and her husband makes me cry. Bless you all!

-- Jean in IL (schiszik@tbcnet.com), May 08, 2002.

Gary-you knock my socks off!!!! What a rare and wonderful man to go shopping with his daughter! Such love and support is fantastic!! I'm so glad y'll had a great day! and thanks for sharing-I've encounter what seems like every rude and grumpy and dysfunctional person in the world lately so I'm glad to hear about you and your family!

-- Kelly (homearts2002@yahoo.com), May 08, 2002.

Gary -

Your posts are wonderful! I enjoy reading about the positive things you think, feel & do.....I wish I would have had that great of a relationship with my father - keep it up! Also, it makes me smile for my daughter - she is only one yr. old and adores her daddy - and he her! ;) THANKS for sharing!

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), May 08, 2002.

I would like to know the name of this steak house.....sounds great...I live just south of Indy, in Franklin. Care to let me in on the secret?

-- clove (clovis97@Yahoo.com), May 09, 2002.

A man going shopping with his daughter is so rare...and saying he enjoyed it is nothing short of miraculous! :) Sounds like you had a lot of fun.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@nospam.com), May 09, 2002.

Clovis,

I know Franklin well. I did my undergraduate work and played some basketball there to finance it. ;o)

The restaurant is Del Frisco's. It's on the south side of Ohio St. (I believe it's Ohio... It's the street that runs East from the circle to the old Market Square Arena location). It is in the building next to the corner building on the second floor. I highly recommend it. I couldn't afford to eat there on a regular basis, but once in a while is nice. ;o)

Not that you asked, but I'll offer another suggestion to you in Indy. I'm afraid I can't think of the name of it but I can tell you where and what it is. It's a little Italian place where we had lunch and the food was wonderful. The atmosphere was quaint and the food was excellent. It's located on East Washington Street (US 40) about two or three lights East of I-465 on the North side of the road. It's a very small place so you need to pay attention to find it but I think you'll find it worthwhile. I had the absolute best fettuccini alfredo I've ever had. My partner had the same thing and his wife had chicken parmegiane and said it was wonderful. The bill for all three of us was under $20.00. According to what I read at the table, if you go at night the owner sings Tony Bennett favorites. ;o)

Let me know if you try either of those places and what you think.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), May 09, 2002.