Amaar Zarrieff 
How well do you know your dad? Even though you’ve probably known him for your entire life, dads are not usually very forthcoming. Do you know your dad’s favorite color? Do you even know what he does at work all day? In honor of Men’s Health Month and Father’s Day, I encourage you all to go check up on your dad or any male authority figures in your life. If you don’t ask them how they’re doing, they may never end up expressing their feelings. A lot of men act like they don’t like to share, but once you get them started, you won’t be able to get them to stop. When it came to my dad, I decided to ask him some questions to get to know him better.
Here are some of my favorite questions and responses from when I checked up on my dad:
*Question: Tell me a story about a family reunion or family party that you remember attending as a child.
“Answer: I was at my uncle’s house and he rounded up all of the male relatives to play a game. When he finally rounded us all up, he threw a $100 bill into the grass and made us all fight for it. I ended up getting the money, but I was on the bottom of a huge pile of people trying to steal it from me.”
*Question: Were you popular in high school?
Answer: “I was a part of a lot of different cliques, but I mostly ran with the hustlers. Y’know the people who are interested in making money” (When I asked who “the hustlers” were, he refused to answer, LOL.).
*Question: When do you feel most happy?
Answer: “When my kids succeed or do something good in life.”
*Question: What is your favorite song?
Answer: “That’s a hard question. Probably something by Tupac.” (I think he knows the words to Tupac’s entire The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory album by heart.)
*Question: What is the most embarrassing thing your mother or father ever did to you?
Answer: “Well this didn’t happen to me but… One time your grandma showed up at Uncle David’s old girlfriend’s house and found him hiding in her closet. The girl’s parents were away for the weekend.”
After sharing some much-needed laughter with my dad, I can honestly say that I know him better as a person. I ended up asking about 20 questions because I was so intrigued by my dad’s responses. What are you waiting for? Go check up on your dad!
By Amaar Zarrieff, Freshman, Howard University
Instagram: amaar.fz / Twitter: @Amaar_FZ
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