Dry, Three Olives? Thanks For The Life Lesson, Pop

My father taught me how to mix martinis at the age of 11. This meant that at cocktail hour, he could lounge on the couch while I served him an icy, dry vodka martini (three olives) and then relax as I played classical music on the piano. From his perspective, it's probably one of the most valuable things he ever taught me.

Earlier this week, I asked Patch Facebook followers about the most important thing their fathers taught them, and answers ranged from the endearing to the humorous to the cautionary. Read their fathers' lessons, then add your own in the comments section below.

• Julia Coburn Tyler: My dad taught me how to pick a man. Not with a bunch of lectures, but with a lifetime of examples. He treated my mom like a queen. He treated his three daughters like princesses. Kindness, humor, humility, unconditional love and support were regulars a...
• Gene Ervin: How to fight.....play piano........ and stay out of trouble by sending me to very expensive private, schools to keep me from hanging out on the corner with all those....other kids. It was lonely being the only one of my kind in school, but it worked.
• Tommy Brisley: How to pick a lock.