I feel like this post has been such a long time coming. It has been months since I have blogged and years (holy crap) since I have blogged on a consistent basis. I have been feeling an urge to start blogging again over the past few months, and have been baking and cooking and photographing but not posting. I think it's time to come back to posting :) But first, I want to explain where I've been.
Life, needless to say, over the past few years has been crazy. I had a job working for a professional sports team in marketing that took up all of my time. Worked 6, 7 days a week, 15 hours a day. It was the most fun I have ever had at a job... but also the most stress. I needed a change. I got a new position at a fantastic advertising firm. I had my life back. I could see friends and family again. I could finally start planning my wedding. And then my life changed.
On February 7, 2012, I lost the most important person in my life - my dad. Two days after his annual Super Bowl party, where he watched his beloved Giants (G-men!) win the big game, I got a phone call from my brother saying my dad had died. It was so sudden... I talked to him the night before and he sounded fine. To say I was shattered would be the biggest understatement in the world. There are no words for the pain, confusion, sadness and anger I went through after losing my father. 8 months before my wedding, where I was so excited to have him walk me down the aisle, where I was so excited to take him to Italy, the country of his heritage of which he was so proud, and I lost it all in an instant.
He was my best friend. I talked to him four, five times A DAY. No joke. I would call him on my walk to the subway to chat for a few minutes. At work to say whats up and ask what his dogs were doing. When I read an article and I wanted to get his opinion on it (people loved hearing my dad's take on things - me included). When I wanted to talk about Mob Wives or American Idol. And he LOVED Behind the music: Notorious BIG and Tupac.

And my father was loved by everyone around him. He was the person who MADE every party a party. He had a "chair" in everyone's house where he would sit with a glass of Dewar's in hand, and he would sit back and watch the party and people would flock to him. Everyone called him "Uncle Bob", whether he was your uncle or not, because if he wasn't, he may as well have been, because he made everyone feel like family. Not only was he nice, but he was hysterically funny. He loved fart jokes, cursing, and telling stories from his days as a New York City police officer in the tumultous times of the city during the 70s and 80s.
When I had to complete the horrific task of passing on the shocking news to people, most people said "but he was my best friend." And he was. He was everyone's best friend. He was the epitome of a "shirt off my back" type of person, who would give and give even if he didn't have. He made everyone feel like his entire world, because we all were his entire world. Friends. Family. Strangers. It didn't matter if he knew you for 50 years or 5 minutes, he always wanted to make everyone feel like family.
I found a lot of beauty within all of the sadness of the days surrounding his wake and funeral. I was floored by the outpouring of love and support from friends and family. At his wake, literally hundreds of people come to pay their respects, with a line going out of the funeral parlor. We laughed and cried and told stories of the wonderful man he was. The day of the funeral was an oddly serene day as the snow fell ever so lightly and the bells of the church tolled while the NYPD color guard walked my father's casket, adorned in a green US flag (the green flag is a sentimental colored flag used by the NYPD) slowly up the steps of the church. The driver commented that he had never seen such a large funeral processional in his life (again, another showing of just how loved my dad was) and to commemorate him together, we all took a shot of Dewars at his gravesite. Although he was Italian, whenever he toasted, he said "Nasdrovya" (the Russian word for cheers), and the word Nasdrovya chimed from over 100 lips and rang out throughout the cool, open air of the expansive cemetary.
I was, and forever will be, so honored to have a man who was so loved, and showed so much love, as my father. He was a rare person that doesn't come along often. I still get so angry and wish I could have had more time with him... I felt like I have been robbed of another 15, 20, 25 years of good times and sharing special moments - my wedding, my first child, holidays, etc. and I don't understand it. I feel as if I am missing years of wonderful moments, not just because I am missing my dad, but because I am missing Bobby, this man who just made everything so much better just by being around. I miss him cracking himself up, where he would laugh so hard he would cry and his shoulders would shake. I miss his stories. I miss his insights. I miss the sound of his voice and his hugs. I miss the way he would look at me when I was being a bratty girl. I miss him making fun of me when I messed up cooking or baking something. I miss him cursing about how much the Mets suck. I miss his warm eyes and big smile. I miss listening to him sing oldies. I miss punching him in the arm and telling him how annoying he is. I know I'll miss holidays with him... he lived for holidays, Christmas especially. I miss his michevious smile. I miss every. single. thing. about him.
I miss my dad.

But I am blessed to have had 30 wonderful years and memories with him. I could go on for days about the man he was and how much he meant to everyone in his life, and I do not doubt for a second that everyone that knew him feels a little emptier without my dad in their life, because he was so full of life and love and happiness that everyone around him felt it. I would give anything to be able to hug him one last time and tell him just how much I love him. I do sometimes in my dreams. And sometimes that makes me feel better.
The night before he died, I talked to him on the phone. He told me about a dream that he had (he always had very vivid dreams and always asked me what they meant): There were two women dressed in white pouring water over his stomach and telling him that everything was going to be ok.
"What do you think that means?" he asked me.
"I'm not sure," I said, "But it sounds peaceful."
The next morning he died, and that night I looked up that dream. Water means peace and your stomach means new beginnings. I hope wherever he is, those women are taking care of him. If there is a heaven, I picture him up there with a crowd of people gathered up around him, as he is sitting in a chair making everyone laugh, and welcoming each new person to heaven like he's known them forever.
RIP
Robert Anthony DiMicco
July 2, 1947 - February 7, 2012

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This brought tears to my eyes, Teanna. Your dad sounds so amazing and although it hurts that he's no longer here, I know he's looking down on you and smiling. Your story makes me wish I'd known him! :) Many hugs to you, sweet girl!
Posted by: Jessica of My Baking Heart | August 27, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Oh, Teanna. I'm so sorry for your great loss. Hugs and lots of love to you. This post is a wonderful tribute.
Posted by: Nicole | August 27, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Brought tears to my eyes... I love you and I love him! and i know he is so happy that you are blogging again!
Posted by: Raffaela | August 27, 2012 at 12:24 PM
Thank you so much Jessica! He was a wonderful man :) Raff - he loved you too!!
Posted by: Teanna | August 27, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Thank you, Nicole!
Posted by: Teanna | August 27, 2012 at 12:30 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss - this is a beautiful tribute which makes me sorry I never crossed his path.
Posted by: Rachel Cotterill | August 27, 2012 at 05:34 PM
Oh Teanna, I miss him too so much every day. Joe and I were two people who considered him our best friend. He was always there for us and especially to get Joe out of trouble. I will never forget my Goombah Johnny!
Posted by: Laura DeSimone | August 27, 2012 at 05:37 PM
I am so so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. I loved your tribute.
Posted by: shelly (cookies and cups) | August 27, 2012 at 07:08 PM
Teanna,
This is spot on. Charismatic loving sweet man. He really did make our family- newly addition - feel right at home. It was easy to be around him. Very laid back. I know my brother and sis-in law felt a whole in their hearts just as deep. Oh an my nephew... you know he loves his Uncle bob. We all have an intercessor in heaven now. You did him well in this blog, I am sure he is proud.
And at the wedding you will know He is there. I truly believe.
Love you!!
Posted by: Adriana | August 27, 2012 at 07:27 PM
Oh mama - I am so sorry for your loss. I'm sure wherever he is he is smiling down at you and protecting you.
Posted by: Eliana | August 28, 2012 at 12:06 PM
Oh Teanna, I don't know what it was that first brought me to your site, but I've been inhaling your words ever since Jan 29, 2010. I talked to my husband often, referring to you as The SporkFoon gal. He's a believer in your dishes ever since our now 4 year old (and 16 month old) frequently request "mommy's scrambled eggs" because I put cream cheese in them as a result of your post.
Your absence was noted, since I frequently included your recipes in my weekly meal plans. I'm so very, very sorry for your loss and touched by your words. Your father sounds as if he was larger than life! I don't drink Dewars, but next time I find myself where there is some, I will request a shot and say "Nasdroyva" in his honor, and yours.
A very big hug to you!
Posted by: Bianca | August 28, 2012 at 01:03 PM
Hey T, this was such a beautiful piece. It made me cry and sad and happy and it made me laugh all at the same time. He was such a great man and I feel lucky I was able to know him too. He always made me feel part of the family whenever I was over. I am really looking forward to the wedding and just know he will be walking beside you the whole time. You and I are lucky we have two awesome angels looking over us at all times now. Love you!
Posted by: Jen Mullins | August 28, 2012 at 01:52 PM
Teanna, this post literally made me cry. You did a marvelous job of describing your father, who sounds like a truly amazing man. Thank you for sharing his life through your words. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and I know you'll have a chance to see your dad again. Take care.
Posted by: Elizabeth | August 29, 2012 at 12:04 AM
He sounds like he was one-of-a-kind. Knowing his daughter, I could already guess that he was an extraordinary guy, but I really loved reading this beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Chelsea | August 30, 2012 at 03:48 PM
What a lovely tribute to your amazing dad! I am so sorry that you all had to lose such a wonderful person. You must miss him so much...
Posted by: sabrina | August 31, 2012 at 11:04 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. It must have been hard to write this post but I hope it has brought you more peace.
Posted by: Stephanie | September 02, 2012 at 11:01 PM
Hi Sweetpea,
What a wonderful tribute to your Dad. I can't stop crying as I read this. I miss him soooooo much...! I'm so grateful that you were able to share with your readers what a wonderful man your Dad was and how he touched the lives of all who knew and loved him. I pray each day that his soul is at peace and he is laying in green pastures with our Heavenly Father. I look forward to the joy of that day when we can once again be reunited in Haven, (Yes! There is such a place) when the Lord calls us home.
Posted by: Mom | September 04, 2012 at 06:10 PM
What a great tribute to your dad. Sorry for your loss--for now. You'll see him again.
Posted by: Katrina | September 09, 2012 at 04:05 PM
whether he was your uncle or not, because if he wasn't, he may as well have been,
Posted by: Graduate Dissertation | October 04, 2012 at 06:59 AM
what a handsome man he was...this brought tears to my eyes.. I am sure he more than proud= )
Posted by: Erica Rios | October 26, 2012 at 03:39 PM