This Duet Proves Good Fathers Still Exist

If I had a nickel for every time someone chalked up a series of bad decisions to “daddy issues” I’d probably be rich.  A whole Diet Coke rich.  That’s a lot considering every striptease is met with a series of *tsk tsk tsks* and a general inquiry as to where that woman’s father was.  I’m not going to get into a discussion about the parental effects on a child’s decision to disrobe for a living–which I, for the record, believe is a perfectly valid and intelligent way of putting oneself through college–but the assumption exists nonetheless.  Media perpetuation of absent and inattentive fathers has clouded at least my own judgment, so much so that I don’t trust any man with a child.  The blame may be with Hollywood or with the several child psychology courses I took, but fathers always get a bad rap (not mine though, he’s awesome).

How Hercules feels about all of his children. Consequently you can see them every Friday at the Spearmint Rhino.

That said, a little video surfaced on the net the other day.  Time-stamped at last September, I may have missed the viral boat with this one, but good parenting should always be celebrated despite its cultural irrelevance.  When his four-year-old daughter couldn’t sleep because she thought she heard fireworks, Benjamin Ames busted out his fluorescent pink ukulele and decided it was time to put at least her fears to rest.  The two plow through an adorable, perfectly synchronized rendition of “Tonight You Belong to Me” complete with obligatory pauses for fireworks and a lip-trumpet duet.  Watch the video below and try to hold back your stifled “Awwwws…”

I may not have the power to hand out the annual “Father of the Year” award, but I would gladly rush the stage and tell the judges that Ames is one of the best dads of all time (mic drop).  I’m not saying that most men don’t carve out time every day just for their child, but television and movies do a terrible job of perpetuating images of attentive and invested fathers.  Even the less musically inclined out there still make time for the occasional tea party, game of catch or dress up with their little ones, but until more men like Ames go viral, that image will continue to be an unrepresented one.  Here’s a shout out to all in charge of media outlets: continue showing us more fathers like Ames.  Trust me, they’re out there.

If Vader took an active role in raising his son.

Tags : Benjamin J. Ames, cover, Darth Vader and Son, Daughter, duet, father, Internet, Internet Matters, Issues, music, The Scene, tonight you belong to me, Video, viral