Becoming a mom has made me so deeply thankful for my own parents. They are rock stars in my book. I wrote them a letter a few months ago, letting them know how I feel and I share part of it with you all now, to honor the amazing man that is my father and in the hopes of inspiring you to do the same for your own Dads.
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Dear Dad,
While I myself will never be a father, becoming a parent has given me a new found appreciation for you as my dad. You were faced with sacrificing for us in a very different way than mom. You had to sacrifice time with us in order to provide for us and to support us financially. I know now what a burden that must have been for you. I know, I for one never once thanked you for that sacrifice. I know there were times when money must have been tight and you could have easily taken up a job in the private sector or opened up your own practice, but instead you chose to instill in us the value of service. This is something that I am deeply grateful for. Not only were you being of service and doing something you enjoyed but you also came home on your lunch breaks just to be with us. I know a lot of people who can say they never really saw their fathers growing up because of how busy they were and I am so thankful that I am not one of those people. You played an active role in our childhoods. It also fell to you to be the main disciplinarian in the family, which I’m sure is something you must have hated. Thank you for raising us to be responsible and accountable for our actions. You may have had to be the enforcer but you were also able to make us laugh in a way no one else could. I’m the first to admit that I’m a daddy’s girl. I love that I share many of your traits and it made me so happy when grandpa used to tell me that I was the most like you. Our similarities also meant that I wasn’t always the easiest person for you to deal with and I want to tell you how thankful I am to you for walking the line between allowing me to be me while also giving me boundaries and for raising me to the best version of myself. You are the best Dad I could ever ask for. I feel so blessed to be your daughter. I can’t thank you enough for all the life lessons you have taught me and for all the sacrifices you made and still make for us. I will always need you. You are my rock.
I am now and always will be, a Daddy’s girl. I love you.
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