Planes, Trains & Automobiles*

*Except this story involves no planes and no automobiles, but it does involve my daddy.

You guys all know how much I love my dad. If I didn't think it would make you all sick of hearing about him I would talk about him all the time.
Anyways, you might not know what he does. He is an engineer for CN Railway - has been since he was 19, and will retire on his 55th birthday in June of 2009. He works really hard, always has, and is a great role model in that respect.
When I started working as an editor I quickly noticed that there was a set of tracks that runs along behind our office. The tracks are up in the air as there are roads that run underneath them, and they are pretty much level with our third floor office.
The same week I started working here I called my dad and asked him if he is ever on that track - once he figured out where it was he told me that he only goes by about 4 or 5 times a year. Right then I made him promise that if he ever goes by during the day that he has to call me and let me know so I can wave at him.
As soon as my co-workers found out that he was an engineer they were excited, and at least once a day since then when a train goes by someone will yell "Hey Ali, is that your dad?" to which I have always had to reply no. Until this week.
Late in the afternoon a few days ago, we were all starting to wind down for the day, Krista had just left, Zig and I were packing up and my cell phone starts vibrating in my pocket. I pull it out and the display reads "Daddy's Cell."
During the day this can mean one of two things. 1. Something terrible has happened and there is a family emergency or 2. My dad is in town and will be in the city for the evening and wants to go for dinner. Hoping it's the second option I flip open my phone and say "Hi Daddy."
I can hear the engine in the background and my dad is practically screaming so I can hear him. He says "guess where I am" and I said "on the train, but I have no idea where..." -and then my lightbulb dinged- and I screamed "You're coming down the tracks by my office!" And he laughed and said "yep, I'll be there in 10 minutes."
I started jumping up and down and yelled at Zig and James (and was very sad when I realized that Krista had already left for the day) that my dad was going by on the train. Zig was very excited too and he ran and got his camera and waited patiently in my office. I, on the other hand, was pressed up against the glass like a little kid at a candy store.
And soon enough, we heard the low roar of the train, and then we felt the vibration in our feet, and the train was coming around the corner.

I climbed up on my windowsill and watched very closely. Sure enough, as the train got closer the little door in the front of the engine opened and out walked my dad! He stood out there and waved at us and I waved and squealed and Zig snapped these pictures while James shied away behind us.
When the engine was passed by I called my dad's cell to tell him I love him and thanks for remembering to call me.

It was an exciting end to a busy day - and just one more reason why I love my dad.