BLOG: Forever Daddy's Girl

"When a young girl falls in love with her Daddy first, no other man in the world could ever break her heart, because her heart will always belong to Daddy"

As a child, I remember thinking Daddy could do no wrong.

No one was stronger or smarter than my Daddy.

If I had a problem, Daddy could fix it. If I was stuck, Daddy could rescue me. If I was lost, Daddy could guide me – In my world, he was the answer to everything and if Daddy couldn't fix it, it couldn't be fixed - it was that simple.

As an adult, I now realize how instrumental his love has been. When a young girl falls in love with her Daddy first, no other man in the world could ever break her heart, because her heart will always belong to her Daddy - he has already shown her what real, unconditional love feels like. While a Daddy's girl will still endure pain as she learns the lessons of love and life, her foundation built by her Daddy is unbreakable no matter how hard the lessons in life prove to be.

I've always known I was his princess and his heart belonged to me, but now I truly realize, I am who I am because of my Daddy's love – and I am so grateful for that.

I'm grateful for early mornings at age 5 and wanting to wear my cowboy boots just because Daddy had his cowboy boots on.

I'm grateful for the Daddy who couldn't really do hair, but tried anyway... Eventually I got used to the "fuzzy-look".

I'm grateful for the Daddy who pulled teeth out with dental floss tied to the door. You taught me bravery, and I'm grateful for that.

I'm grateful for the Daddy with South Carolina roots and southern traditions. I still believe the best men are raised in the South, just like my Daddy!

I'm grateful for the Daddy who made surprise appearances in 3rd grade, sat Indian-style on the floor and sang the cookie jar song. You taught me how important it is to have presence.

I'm grateful for the Daddy who didn't believe in the name brands, instead settled for the bare necessities in life, which taught me to truly appreciate Gucci and Louis, but also taught me to never let my character be based on materialistic things.

I'm grateful for the Daddy who believed in camping trips, weekend trips to Monterrey Bay and Marine World USA on hot summer days.



I'm grateful for all the times I would fall asleep before we'd make it home, just so you would carry me to bed and tuck me in. Even when you knew I was faking it, you still played along.

I'm grateful for the bumpy truck rides in the big rigs because it never mattered how dirty I was at the end of the day, I was with my Daddy.

I'm grateful for discipline and punishments, now I understand why.

I'm grateful for Christmas tree hunting, summer bike rides, morning breakfasts as a family and you always knowing to put the most cheese in my grits.

I'm grateful for hearing you sing, "I just called to say I love you," at age 23... Suddenly, the 3,000 miles between us are non-existent.

I'm grateful for the times I would call your name in the grocery store, only for you to say, "I'm not your Dad, Little Girl". Giggling, I would always say, "But Daddddddy!"

I'm grateful that you always gave in at the grocery store and us girls realizing, we could stick just about anything in the buggy and Daddy would buy it.

I'm grateful for the Hamburger Helper and lima bean dinners, pork chops and macaroni cheese, and sitting on the kitchen countertops reading out loud while you cooked.

I'm grateful for the times I would lay my head in your lap and you'd clean my ears and put me to sleep.

I'm grateful for all of the "on-the-road" phone calls home when you'd ask, "Who's my girl?" and smiling ear-to-ear, I'd always have your answer... Me!

I'm grateful for the countless, countless times I heard you say, "I Love You". I watched you be "tough" with the world, but ever so affectionate with me.

I'm grateful for summer afternoons and Whitney's record playing loudly in the living room.

I'm grateful for the times you would come serenade me, swearing up and down you were the missing member of the Gap band!

I'm grateful that at age 7, I believed you were that missing member!

I'm grateful you taught me humility and work ethic.

I'm grateful for the man you've become and I am grateful to be just like you.

I love you for your incredible strength.

In your 20's you decided you wouldn't let society tell you what type of man you would be. Against all odds, you proved the world wrong and raised not one, but two children on your own.

I finally understand the sacrifice, dedication and commitment you made for so many years.

Now with my own child, I am overjoyed to be able to watch you fall in love all of over again, this time though, the roles have changed, I'm Mommy and you are the ever-so-popular & most adored "Papa".

I'm thankful, grateful and amazed that God chose you to be my Daddy. I am blessed to have witnessed how a real man takes care of his household financially, physically and emotionally - but not only did you set an incredible example of the type of man who deserves my love, you also showed me how to be strong and how to survive in a world that won't always play fair.

Because of you, I know what a GOOD man is and wouldn't settle for anything less for myself.

Thank you for your guidance, your dedication, your strength and love; I am who I am because of you.

Forever Daddy's Girl