A Daddy's Girl

There are no ordinary days and as I look back at my childhood, I look at the days, the moments, the years that my father invested in me. A daddy's girl is what I lovingly call myself. From a very young age, I recognized and cherished the bond I had with my father. He was a figure of strength, courage, wisdom and love that has made me into the person I am today. I can look back at my life and see how his presence made such a profound impact on me. So today, since its Father's Day, I thought I would take a moment to honor him with all his life has taught me.

He was a figure of strength, courage, wisdom and love that has made me into the person I am today

He was the first man I ever fell in love with. I have always loved my Dad. In fact, my parents often told the story that I preferred my dad even as a young child and men in general. They would laugh as I would lift my arms to any man in the room but there was no man that could fill what my Dad was to me. Childhood pictures display my arms wrapped tightly around his neck. There was a love and comfort I found in my daddy's arms.

My first love

A spiritual leader, he was the one who led me to Jesus. I can still recall the day that he prayed with me in his room leading me in the the salvation prayer after I inquired about my sister being baptized. We always had a good church family wherever we lived. Whether leading us in family Bible studies, watching him give his testimony or going on mission trips, my childhood was filled with a Godly example. Early mornings, he was up before all of us at the kitchen table with a cup of black coffee, his Bible laid out alongside a Strong concordance digging for understanding. His spiritual walk has always inspired me to pursue God more!

A spiritual leader 

An amazing provider, we had a good life growing up. Never lacking food on the table, clothes on our back or a car to drive, our needs were always met. I can recall when we lived in St. Louis, he took on an extra job in the evenings and weekends to give us a great Christmas. As teenagers, my sister and I both needed braces, and he sacrificed by paying for very expensive orthodontic work to give us a smile to be proud of. The man that never smiled showing teeth until his fifties after he finally invested in his own set of braces. Our smiles came first. In fact, his motto showed it was always family first! He made financial investments in our future as he paid for his kids to get a college education as well.

An amazing provider

Dad loved to plan family vacations that would include something educational and fun. We saw much of the country during our adventures. Trips I will never forget from Kings Dominion to Valley Forge, Monticello to Wild Wood, Mt Vernon to Rehoboth Beach, our family vacations were cherished moments. Even now, we still enjoy going on family vacations together with the grands.

Our family vacations were cherished moments

A loving husband to my mother for almost forty years. He cherished my mother. I can remember how he would always say how beautiful she was. It was evident he adored her. He loved to take her picture and talk about how photogenic she was. He did whatever it took to make her happy and even when my mom was very sick, he cared for her so very tenderly and graciously. Through sickness and and in health, he was a one woman man for over 40 years through dating and marriage, and his example helped me know what to look for in a husband (and I got a good one!)

A loving husband

Whether he meant to, its in our genes, having him for a father enabled me to have a strong opinion. I appreciate that my Dad gave me a voice. He liked that I could think, reason and defend what I believed. He often told me 'dynamite came in small packages' and that the sky was the limit. He made me feel like I could do anything! To have someone believe in you and instill confidence in you is a priceless gift.

He gave me a voice

A spirit of adventure, he taught us to have fun in life. I rode my first roller coaster with my Dad at Hersey Park, Pennsylvania on the Super Dooper Looper. He had to bribe me with $5 but made me a lover of adventure after that. He only had to pay me once, and I was hooked!

A spirit of adventure

His life displayed resilience and adapting to change. After my mother passed away, I wondered how my dad would be. He sought purpose for the next phase of his life. He retired from his GM job and decided to become a missionary to Africa. Seeing a renewed passion to remain purposeful in life and invest in eternal things as he serve others, makes me respect and honor him even more.

His life displayed resilience 

Not just a dad but now known as Grandpa, watching him love our children is truly priceless. The time he takes to bond with each of them is cherished. He's the math teacher if we can't figure out the homework, the baseball catcher, babysitter, game attender, kiss seeking Grandpa that adores his grands.

Not just a dad but now known as Grandpa

Wise is what I consider my Dad. I can trust him to help me through difficult situations. He is one I know will give sound advice, tell me when I'm wrong and guide me to make sound decisions. I appreciate his presence in my life. I appreciate his love, and if you met him you make think he is a man of few words, but when he speaks its worth listening.

Wise is what I consider my Dad

So today, I honor my Dad for all that he has poured into me and my family. My life would not be where it is without him. Dad, you have made me see The Father as you have fathered me. I love you Dad and forever will be your daddy's girl!