There has always been something special between my dad and I. For as long as I can remember, as a child, my dad was my everything. Even when he was unavailable physically, he made the effort to be there through emails, notes, videos & postcards. From across the country and overseas he made me feel loved. He made me feel safe, and he never let me down. He missed many a birthday party while serving our country, but he never missed wishing me a "Happy Birthday" & sending a big bouquet. He may have not made it to every special event growing up, but he made sure to catch up on all my accomplishments when communication was available. We had our differences through the teenage years. He didn't understand me and I couldn't see past the tip of my nose, but I was still his little girl despite our differences.
It wasn't always about quantity growing up as much as it was about quality. My dad took the time to teach me things, show me things, and allowed me to experience things. He wasn't afraid to be silly with me and he always encouraged me that I was capable to conquer my fears. He laid a foundation that will last forever.
My dad was me hero, my protector and the only guy I needed in my life.
Fast forward to the night before my wedding. I will never forget sitting at my rehearsal dinner, pushing food around on my plate, on the verge of tears. I walked over to my dad and asked him if we could talk. We went outside and I burst into tears. I don't remember all that was said, but I do remember muttering between sobs, "who will sing silly songs to the dog every morning?" I didn't have cold feet, I wasn't questioning my decision, I just didn't want to leave my dad. I knew the next day I would start my own life with my husband and all I could think about was how much I would miss waking up to my dad singing to our dog. My dad was the one in my life who saved the day, made me laugh, made sure I was safe and provided for me. It felt odd that on the following day, he would give that responsibility to my soon to be husband.
The next day, right before I walked down the aisle, I begged my dad to make me laugh. Nerves had the best of me and I just needed to smile. He of course rose to occasion and I had a huge grin on my face when those church doors opened.
My wonderful dad is such a huge part of who I am today and I am thankful that he modeled to me what a good man should be. He modeled how a good dad should treat his daughter and how a good husband should treat his wife. When it came time for me to choose a man to spend the rest of my life with, I am beyond thankful I had an amazing model who set the bar high!
 |
| My Dad & I. August 2005 |
Now that I have two daughters of my own, I love watching their relationship with their own daddy bloom. I love to watch them give him "lovies" goodbye. I love that everything is funnier when daddy does it. I love that on Saturday mornings both girls have to lounge all over him and Brinley asks for pony rides, while Emery follows him around with a book, just waiting for his lap to open up. They respond to his guidance and they have a healthy fear for his boundaries. I hear Emery call for "dada" way more than I hear "momma" & he gets way more smooches than I do! They adore their daddy and light up when he comes home from work.
Brinley truly believes that daddy is her prince and insists that he dance with her at the ball. This melts my heart every. single. time. I wish I could just freeze the clock and never have to tread the waters of what is to come when these girls blossom from little princesses to teenagers. I may not be able to stop the clock, but I am so thankful that my husband is creating a special bond with both girls and laying a foundation for years to come.
I hope my girls never forget how special these dances with their daddy really are.
