“There’s Nothing Like a Father’s Love”

Do you think there’s a difference between being a “father” and being a “dad”?

Daddy’s little girl found her voice.
Daddy’s little girl isn’t so little anymore.
Daddy’s little girl is an eagle soaring.

Daddy’s little girl is his friend.
Daddy’s little girl is a blessing.
Daddy’s little girl is his daughter.

His daughter asks questions.
But isn’t that how we learn, daddy?
His daughter challenges his thoughts.
But isn’t that how we grow, daddy?
His daughter speaks her mind.
But isn’t that how we love, daddy?

Daddy’s little girl is loved by her father.
Daddy’s little girl is guided by her father.
Daddy’s little girl is his only girl.

His only girl that he may not have let go of yet.
His only girl that he may need help understanding.
His only girl that he may need to speak softer to than her brothers.
His only girl that he may need to have harder conversations with.

His only girl that has a big heart.
His only girl that has different opinions.
His only girl that makes mistakes.
His only girl that walks her own path.

Daddy’s little girl is strong.
Daddy’s little girl is smart.
Daddy’s little girl is beautiful.

But daddy’s little girl now has her wings.
Daddy’s little girl is an eagle soaring.
Daddy’s little girl isn’t so little anymore.
Daddy’s little girl found her voice.

I honestly do not know where those above words came from. They don’t even rhyme lol. But they’re an expression of what I’ve learned and felt over the past year as I have reflected over my life being my daddy’s little girl and only daughter. My dad is a great dad! He has his own way of showing his children that he loves them and he is always present. Even when my parents got divorced, I was only 11 years old. Children that age are usually negatively and emotionally affected when their parents get divorced. But I was content. Dad was still there on birthdays and holidays. We still talked on the phone. He didn’t seem gone to me. And I am extremely thankful for that.

I think he and my mom probably have a better relationship now as friends and co-parents than they did when they were married. And growing up dad could be strict, he could be stern, he could raise his voice, he could be very opinionated, he could be very set in his ways, he could be very close-minded, and the response from my brothers and mom were “well that’s just [your] dad, you know how he is.” And I think that’s how I made it through my entire 30 years of life not questioning his actions or words. I just shrugged it off as “that’s just dad.” And then the next day, the conversation will begin as if nothing bad or hurtful was just said the previous day. But then I began to really internalize the things that were said. But why is our response “that’s just your dad”? And since no one has ever really gave push back or expressed how those words made them feel, I don’t think my dad really knew how what he would say would affect us.

But I began to speak up more on it. And simply say, “dad what you just said was hurtful.” Or, “dad, I am entitled to my opinion and you’re entitled to yours.” And I am grateful that I have that kind of relationship with my dad where I can feel comfortable responding in that way. Handling the situation the way an adult should. And I am grateful that he was able to receive it in a positive way. I love my dad with all of my heart. I love the life my dad and mom gave me. In hindsight, I love how stern my dad was with me and my brothers as children. The rules and lessons instilled many good characteristics and behaviors in us that we can now pass on to our children/nieces & nephews. (I also gained the ability to pay attention to detail and maybe a little bit of OCD from him haha.)

Daddy’s little girl found her voice. And thanks to the strength she gained from him, daddy’s little girl is not afraid to use her voice.

I love you so much daddy! Thank you for being you! Thank you for allowing us to maintain and blossom our relationship. Happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers and dads out there!

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:1-4, NKJV.

Moni Jay, Off the Record