So I know it's been a few weeks since Father's Day, but I wanted to take a few minutes to write about my father as other than my husband, he is the most important man in my life!
My dad has always been a constant figure in my life, one I look up to (literally. And metaphorically speaking of course). He has been everything I could ask for in a father- the disciplinarian (even when I didn't want to be disciplined or felt I didn't warrant any discplinary action), the business role model, the caring, nuturing man in the first 20+ years of my life, the man on which I based great character traits for a future husband, etc. My daddy is a true Southern gentleman and has taught me so much in my life. He has helped develop me into the woman I am today and continues to offer his constant love and support in everything that I do. Over the years, he has let me make my own decisions, some bad but mostly good, and he is always there to pick up the pieces when I've fallen, to offer the love and support Daddy's little girl could need. Even when he forced me to move across the country during pivotal moments of my life (entering my freshman year of high school), he has always been there for me. He has made a LOT of sacrifices for our family with the sole intention of giving us a better life, a life he didn't have growing up. He didn't miss my basketball games or choir concerts or my brother's football games because he wanted to or didn't care; he missed them because he was travelling for work, allowing us to keep our commitments and live where we wanted to instead of making us move too quickly.
My father may be the most stubborn man you'll ever meet, but he is also one of the greatest men you'll ever meet! He is witty and intelligent, sarcastic yet caring, loving and courageous, the list goes on! Sure, my dad's made me angry or upset, hurt my feelings, etc. but I know all of his actions are out of his love for me as his daughter, his baby girl, and that he will always have good intentions at heart. I may not talk to Daddy every day but I know he's there for me, know he loves me and cares for me deeply, each and every day. I love that man and fear the day that I lose him (hopefully FAR in the future).
I'll end this post on the greatest memory I have of my father. It was my wedding day and he made me cry twice (tears of joy, of course). The first was when he saw me for the first time on May 15, 2010. I had just finished getting ready, had opened my wedding present from Tom (beautiful cross on a chain), and in walks my dad! He looked at me and immediately tears welled up in his eyes. Of course, I started crying in return and he gave me the longest bear hug and told me how proud he was of me, how beautiful I was, and how this was one of his greatest moments with me. The second was during our Father-Daughter dance at the reception. I told Daddy a few weeks before my wedding that I had picked out the PERFECT song for us to dance to but for obvious reason wasn't going to tell him. Throughout my years, there have been songs that will ALWAYS remind me of my father, specifically "Old School" by Steely Dan and "Africa" by Toto, but neither of those was the song I chose for my dance with my dad. The song I chose is one that he told me long before planning my wedding always reminded him of me, that he came downstairs to the basement to ask me a question and I was listening to it and he really liked it and had to put it on his MP3 player immediately- "When You Come Back Down" by Nickel Creek. The lyrics are absolutely touching and very indicative of my and my father's relationship. He's let me go to chase my dreams but will always be here for me should I fall. So when the guitar started playing, the spark of recognition flickered across my dad's face and he said to me, "No you didn't! Are you trying to make me cry again?!" but just loud enough so that only I could hear him. He walked up to me, took me in his arms, and we talked, cried, and laughed while we danced to our song. Those two instances of my adult life are two of my greatest memories of Daddy and they both occurred on the same day, the happiest day of my life!
Daddy, I know you probably aren't reading this, but if you are, I love you SO much and you are the best father I could have ever asked for! Everything you've done for me has made me such a strong woman and I could not imagine my life without you in it. Thank you for everything you have done for me and all that you will do for me (and Tom) in the future. Love you so much Papabear!!
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