When I was just 17 my dad was in his late forties. He was overweight, smoked, didn't exercise, and drank too much. He was a top executive at a multinational corporation moving up the ladder. His dad had died of heart disease in his early fifties. My dad was lucky because he had a fantastic corporate doctor who asked him if he wanted to live to see his kids grow up or if he wanted to die young as his father before him did.
 
That flipped the switch for my dad. He stopped smoking, trained for and ran a marathon, controlled his drinking, and lost weight. My dad just turned 81 a month ago. I thank him every year for taking care of himself. He has seen me and my brothers grow up, he has had a blast with his eight grandchildren, and he is still going strong. He hits the fitness center several times a week, golfs almost everyday, and is an awesome father.

I am heartened to see that Obama is doing a series on fatherhood. We have devoted such attention, and for good reason, to moms. It is now time for us to get the dads out there to take care of themselves as they care for their families.

Happy Fathers' day to all the great fathers out there -- especially mine and my husband who is a tremendous father to our three kids.