I came across the following article this afternoon and it nearly left me in a puddle...as I read it, the memories I've made over the last 30 years with my dad flooded my memory and made me smile. My dad is an incredible man... he has set an incredible example for our family, he is a man of integrity who walks in Godly wisdom... he is one of those people that I want to be like when I "grow up"... he is one of my heros....he chose our family over his work teaching us that family is more important than what your bank account reads...together with my mom, they did an incredible job of preparing me for the "real world" and was always willing to listen when there was something about the "real world" I didn't like....he instilled in me a love for learning, reminding me often that there was nothing I couldn't do if I set my mind to it - and conspired with me when I couldn't figure out how to make something work... but more than anything, he inspired me to love Jesus and to trust Him no matter what.
A year and a half ago, he gave me away to my husband, knowing full well that our relationship from that moment on would change a bit - he has done an amazing job of letting Justin be the most important man in my life, a gift for which I will be forever grateful... Dad, I love you so much...
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping
spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good
she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated
her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time.
Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence.
Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to
be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add
years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be
you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her
life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the
house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before
you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with
her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You
better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to
throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think
it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will
still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday.
In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t
always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a
baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on
your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both
be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an
animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major
panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time
it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes
fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave
the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her
drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over
your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get
into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while
you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her
to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She
will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings.
Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the
pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their
loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present
you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not
bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her
choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday,
the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare.
This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than
her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for
you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is
probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be
a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams
uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle
fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live
on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas.
Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and
fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them
to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you
think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets
older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and
when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this,
tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for
it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus.
Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
