Daddies and Daughters: A Forever Love

There's something special about the relationship between Daddies and their daughters. A dad is his daughter's first hero, a role model for every man in her future. As a little girl grows, she learns many lessons from her dad.

Daddies teach daughters practical lessons: how to ride a bike and swim, how to fix stuff and correct mistakes, how to fish and row a boat. Daddies teach daughters life lessons: how to stand up for your beliefs, how to face difficult challenges, how to be brave in the face of adversity.

Daddies teach their daughters self-confidence and that the sky is the limit if you work hard and stay focused. With each new lesson learned, a dad's encouragement helps his daughter's self-assurance grow.

Daddies aren't always big on words, but actions speak louder than words and a dad's love shines through his actions. Even when a dad is far away physically, a daughter can feel the warmth of his love.

Daddies teach their daughters how to behave properly. Table manners, courtesy and thoughtfulness are all important lessons daughters learn from watching how parents behave.

Daddies teach daughters how they should be treated. When a daughter watches her dad treat her mom with respect and kindness, she will expect the men in her future to treat her the same way. It's traditional for a dad to walk his daughter down the aisle and give her away in marriage to her husband.

As daughters become young women, a dad's role changes from a daily parenting role to a mentoring role of support. Dads become grandpas with the birth of grandchildren, a role many dads relish.

A dad who worked long hours when his daughter was young has the opportunity to relive his daughter's childhood when playing with grandchildren. When grandkids are young, grandpas enjoy getting down on the floor to play and teaching the grandkids new things.

Daughters hold a special place in a dad's heart, no matter how old they are. Daughters look up to and admire their dad and may become their dad's caretaker as he ages in a reversal of roles.

They say you can't go back home, but that's not really true. Even when you're not a little girl, the feelings of love and devotion between parents and children remains. Daughters who move away have to work harder to enjoy a grownup relationship with their parents. Frequent phone calls, emails, letters and visits back home strengthen the feelings of love and respect.

As time goes by, a daughter's love and respect for her first hero grows. As an adult balancing work and family, a daughter realizes and appreciates the many sacrifices her parents made for her.

My Dad taught his daughters many life lessons: to be brave and courageous even when facing insurmountable odds, to treat others with dignity and respect, to think through the consequences of actions, to help others in need, to stand proud and tall and to be strong even when life is unfair.

Thanks, Dad, for loving Mom in life and grieving her death. The love you two shared for 66 years can't be diminished in death. She's waiting for you now and I know the reunion will be wonderful.

Thanks, Dad, for serving as a shining example of Christian fatherhood for your daughters and sons. You taught us well and gave us the strength we'll need to continue when you're gone from our presence.

As we move gradually toward a life without you and Mom, I know you'll both be looking down on us and guiding us in our daily lives. I'm so grateful for the lessons you taught me, the love you showed me and the strength you gave me. Thanks, Dad, for being my first hero and the best Daddy a girl could ever have.