When I was in high school my dad handed me a small toolbox. It was a modest beginning — inside were a hammer, a handsaw, a set of screwdrivers and a tucked-away photograph of his dad, as if to tell me that a knack for fixing things ran in the family. As a teenager I pretended not to care, but I kept the toolbox and took it with me when I left for college.

That little box moved with me from campus to New York City and eventually back to Richmond. With each new apartment and each unfamiliar apartment stairwell, the need for those tools grew. My confidence with them grew too. I started adding to the collection — levels, a power drill, wrenches, pliers, tape measures — and before long the original toolbox was too small to hold everything. Still, some items from that first gift remain in regular rotation: the handsaw and that basic screwdriver set still live in our home and get used more than you might expect. The hammer, I suspect, took a different path and may still be wandering Manhattan. Sorry, Dad.

Now that Father’s Day is approaching, I wanted to pause and say thank you to my dad, to Sherry’s dad and to all the fathers and father figures whose lessons and quiet examples helped shape us into the practical, can-do pair we are today. It’s easy to overlook the small, everyday skills a parent passes down — how to read a blueprint, how to patch drywall, how to use a level correctly — but those lessons add up. They make you more self-reliant, more creative and more confident when something in the house needs attention at 10 p.m.

We thought it would be fun to honor our dads by sharing a few embarrassing old photos of them. These images capture moments and personalities — the questionable ties, the hairstyles, the unmistakable joy in being a dad who knows how to fix things. (Yes, that photo of my dad’s tie was actually a Father’s Day gift I made with puffy paint when I was small. It was made with love and questionable taste; sometimes craft supplies do more harm than good.)

Beyond the laughs, these photos remind me how practical skills and quiet encouragement can be meaningful gifts. My dad didn’t always announce life lessons with speeches. Often he showed me how to measure twice and cut once, how to hang a shelf so it doesn’t sag, or how to tighten a loose railing so it feels solid under your palm. Those hands-on demonstrations taught patience, precision and the value of doing a job well. They also taught me to enjoy the satisfaction of finishing a project with my own hands.

I’d love to hear about the ways your father or father figure passed skills or wisdom down to you. Did he teach you how to change a tire, wire a light fixture, or use a miter saw safely? Maybe he imparted non-technical lessons — how to balance a budget, how to treat people with respect, or how to stay calm when plans go sideways. Share a story about a moment that made a lasting impression, or the small technique you still use every season.

And if you’re looking for ideas to honor your dad this Father’s Day, think about projects that let you work alongside him. Fix something together, build a small piece of furniture, or simply spend an afternoon organizing tools and swapping stories. A handwritten note about one specific thing he taught you can be more meaningful than an expensive gift. If your dad enjoys practical presents, a new tool he’s been eyeing or a high-quality replacement for an item he uses daily is often appreciated.

We’re planning a surprise for my dad this year, but I won’t spoil it before he opens it. In the meantime, tell us your favorite dad-memory or the most useful trick he taught you. Your story might inspire someone else to pick up a toolbox and carry on the tradition.