Being a dad is not a job for everyone, but I believe my father had fatherhood in his destiny since the day he was born. He’s a man’s man, an old fashioned guy who works hard, doesn’t complain, and wants mostly the simple things in life. He’s strong when he needs to be but truly sensitive and wise as well. It’s a delicate balance to be both strong and gentle in your parenting. I was spoiled with love but not with leniency. I was given compassion and understanding but never a free pass. My parents taught me to be a good person and to love others. They praised me for intellectual achievements and supported my dreams. They encouraged my creativity and my passions, but they never made things so easy for me that I didn’t learn to work. It’s a gift that only the wisest parents give, one that makes it possible for their children to be high-functioning members of society. For all too many people, a parental safety net seems to translate to an entangling trap.
I thank my dad every day for giving me the tools to stand on my own. I watched him work hard at a very physically demanding job that half the people I know would struggle with. Despite working long hours each day, our family was always a priority. He never complained, didn’t bring his work home, and was always willing to work harder if he thought he could help someone in need. Having a strong example of someone with their priorities straight made it pretty easy for me to get my life in line too.
To me, my success is a representation of my parent’s love and guidance. It speaks to the person they raised me to be, and the opportunities they helped me create for myself. I’m so thankful to have been raised by a dad who took to fatherhood so well. I’m so grateful for the love and life lessons he bestowed upon me every day. I love that to my dad I really am his world. I love that my family would both do anything for me and be the first to tell me when I’ve messed up.
That kind of love, that kind of parenting, it stays with you through the distance. Even through all the miles, all the texts, face-times, and technology, there’s no match for that all-encompassing love.
Thank you dad for everything you’ve done. Thank you for being my hero, the hardest worker I know, the most generous man, and my biggest fan. I joke all the time that it all boils down to a life of “no daddy issues,” but it’s so true. All the subtleties and trials that come with raising a strong and secure daughter, you navigated with ease. I literally wouldn’t be the person I am today without you. You deserve more than a day, but we’ve had a lifetime of love together as a family. I love you, dad!