Fab Dads: Washington

Ryan Reese

Ryan Reese is the co-owner of Pike Place Fish Market in Downtown Seattle. As Reese puts it, “Many people know us as folks who toss the fish.”

Dad to: Bryn, 10

Favorite ways to spend family time in WA: We love the summers and winters in the Pacific Northwest. Lake Chelan is a family favorite of ours in the summer. My daughter has been playing softball the last few years and loves to see the Mariners play, and so do I. In the winter, we love to night ski after school and work at Snoqualmie Pass.

Your most rewarding fatherhood moment: There are so many rewarding moments as a dad. It can be little things like just watching her read a book she can’t put down at the dinner table. Maybe my favorite though is when she takes interest in some things that I love and then enjoys doing them with me. Golf is one of them. I love hitting golf balls with her and chatting about life.

Biggest challenge as a dad: My biggest challenge is balancing life and work. As a small business owner, my life can be dominated by work, and I know I can never get that time back. 

A father who inspires you and why: It is kind of silly but recently my daughter has taken up watching old 1980’s/90’s episodes of “Full House.” The dad in that show, Danny Tanner, I can kind of relate to as a dad of a daughter. His ability to be kind, firm, funny and also handle those more difficult dad/daughter talks is something to aspire to.

Best piece of advice for a new dad: Whether you have a son or daughter, they look up to you. They will follow your lead often times later in life. They watch and hear everything you say and do. Be the person day in and day out that you hope they will become…only better.

Your biggest hope for your children: I just want her to have happy and healthy relationships and the confidence to be true to herself. 

How are you celebrating Father’s Day? I will be spending this Father’s Day working, but I look forward to coming home to hang with my wife and daughter and maybe fire up the grill if the sun decides to come out for one day this year.