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Still a Daddy’s Little Girl

Yep, it’s true! I still see myself as Daddy’s little girl.

Even though I am 41 (o.k. almost 42) with two children of my own, there is just something sacred about a daddy/daughter bond.

I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it is. But what I do know for sure, is that it’s pure and strong, it grows through the years filled with triumphs followed by disappointments, hugs and tears, respect and honor, patience and understanding and of course love.

The above photo is an all time favorite of mine, and was taken at my college graduation party. My Daddy got me that crown to wear, symbolic of my role at the time as “princess for a day.” But somehow it ended up on his head and the title KING was born, deservedly so, earned from years of sacrifice, honor and being right about absolutely everything. (It’s kinda scary and well slightly annoying how he is so dead on about so many things.)

So still to this day he is KING.

As you can probably see, KING is no small guy. He played football for OSU under Woody Hayes and lets just say, that I was raised with that same black & white mentality. I couldn’t always see the benefits of “it’s either right or wrong… nothing in between” philosophy, but now looking back and with two daughters, well… I get it.

And I’m so grateful.

I thought that I’d share some of the things that I’m so grateful for with all of you.

So here it goes…

  • I’m so grateful that I always arrived early to everything. (I was the kid dropped off at birthday parties when they were still scrambling to finish the decorations.) But I now understand the importance of being on time and what’s the harm in blowing up a few balloons every now & then?
  • I’m so grateful that you taught me how to never leave my stuff sitting around the house. It comes in so very handy now that I have a house to keep tidy and my own kids to train.
  • I’m so grateful that you shook every hand of every boy that ever came within feet of our house until their faces turned ashen white. At the time I was mortified, but I can now see that the ones who ran off with their tails between their legs were doing me a favor.
  • I’m so grateful that you never let me stay out past midnight “because nothing good ever happens after midnight.” I can now admit that you were right and maybe just maybe I learned that the hard way in college a few times.
  • I’m so grateful that you were such a perfect role model for dignity, honor and excellence.
  • I’m so grateful for all of the Lawrence Welk episodes that we watched (and still do today.) I now have a true love/appreciation for the “classics.”
  • I’m so grateful that you always shared your soft creative side, a true renaissance man in every form of the word. I still have every greeting card that you made me by hand.
  • I’m so grateful that you showed me how to have such respect for myself, especially by watching how much you respected and loved mom. That gave me permission for the same standards and that lead me to My Yanni, who respects and loves me the same way.
  • I’m so grateful that you started the infamous rubber snake seek-n-find game that we’ve been carrying on for years now. (Especially seeing that I am deathly afraid of snakes.) Wonder where that little guy is now?
  • I’m so grateful for your sense of humor. I must admit that the elephant calls at my high school while you stopped in for yearbook meetings were a tad bit devastating at the time. But they definitely gave me character and my deep sense of humor that I have today.

O.k.- the charming fellow posing with his proud mother…that would be my Dad.

Does this give you any indication of his personality?

Pretty much sums it up!

Sorry Daddy, I just couldn’t resist.

Really, I could go on and on all day long. But what it boils down to is this.

In short, I’m just so very grateful that YOU are my Dad.

(Or Daddy, as I’d still like to think of it.)

I love you.

Happy Father’s Day!

And Happy Father’s Day to all of you other great Father’s out there, including my wonderful My Yanni!

Wenderly

Wenderly

Married my soulmate. Mama of 2. Love to inspire. Can't help but to relish in all things beautiful inside & out. Join me in Savoring the Art of Living.

7 Comments

  1. Happy Father’s Day to your Daddy and your Yanni!

    I know your dad’s sense of humor! He kept us all rolling when I was on our high school yearbook staff. He was always the best.

    You are one lucky lady.

    God bless him!

  2. I love this post! The shaking hands with the boys….LOVE it! What a smart dad. Our dates always had to come INSIDE to pick us up…there was no honking the horn from the driveway in our house, either! 😉 And wasn’t he *so* right about nothing god happening after midnight! 😉 Dads are so smart!

  3. What a SWEET post!
    I’m a DADDy’s girl too! Big time!
    My hubby says the APPLE didn’t fall off the tree at all! Ha…haha!
    I actually posted about my Daddy too on Father’s Day!
    Your Dad is very handsome!
    And I know you will always be his perfect princess! xo

  4. Don’t know how I missed this last week but I just read it and, like Kristen, it brought tears to my eyes. Knowing your dad, knowing you, and knowing just some of what you’ve both been through in the past 9 years (the number I’ve known you!) … well, I have to say I have a renewed respect for the King 🙂

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