This Sunday, people all over Australia will clear their calendars to spend the day with their dad.

The shops are buzzing with people buying presents and trips are being planned up or down the coast to visit their parents, step-parents, grand- parents and in-laws.

I have some friends who will celebrate their first Father's Day this weekend and they are all very excited.

Of course their kids are too small to know what's going on, but these new dads are proud as Punch to finally have a child of their own.

The meaning of Father's Day has changed a lot for me over the years.

I remember when I was a about 10 I asked my mum why there wasn't a Kids' Day if we celebrated Mother's Day.

Mum told me it was because kids' day was every day.

She had a good point.

Since then I have grown to realise how important it is to celebrate these special days with the people we love.

I spent this Mother's Day at home feeling terrible that I couldn't make the drive up the coast to see my mum.

You don't realise how important these days are until you don't get to spend them with the people you love.

Mum lives so far away and even though I live at Dad's house at Bargo we're never home at the same time and barely see each other.

I think the best present my brother and I could ever give our parents would be a couple of hours together.

This Sunday Dad's only request was homemade meatloaf which I have never cooked before but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Of course I will get him a present as well, but nothing lights up Dad's eyes more than a nice meal and the sight of his kids at the dinner table.

I think most dads are the same. In today's busy world it's no longer about the presents, but spending time with the people most important to you.

Sure the golf clubs, fishing rods and power tools are great, but it's nice to know I can count on Dad to be content with good company and a glorified loaf of mince.

mfenech@fairfaxmedia.com.au