Sometimes I hear people say, “My dad always said this to me growing up…”, and it’s usually something moving, impactful and heartfelt. Life lessons like, “If you fall get back up and try again…Don’t let fear get in the way of your dreams.”
I used to get a little bummed because I can’t think of a specific thing my dad said in the past or has said currently to me, to impart his wisdom. Throughout the years though, the more I thought about it the more I realized, I have learned (and continue to learn) something incredibly profound from him. It’s a crazy little thing called Love. We all know what love is and hopefully have experienced it in different ways and to various degrees.
There’s the love between you and your significant other, the love you have for your kids and even your pets. The love you have for your grandparents or your closest friends. But there’s something extra special about the love a father has for his daughter.
LOVE IS
Reading to me when I was little. He invented a game with this one book we had. We played it every night. It’s called the “Show Me Game.” I had to find things in the pages that he called out. I caught him one night playing it with my own kids. Full circle. Heart melted.
LOVE IS
Walking all over Disney to find me a snow cone. I HAD to have one. My brother and mom went on a scary roller coaster but my dad chose to find me a snow cone instead.
LOVE IS
Learning how to put my hair in a ponytail for Saturday morning soccer games, because my mom was working and wouldn’t be home to do it.
LOVE IS
Giving me my first Bible in 5th grade
Killing spiders
Fixing car problems
His French toast
Making me laugh with his unique sense of humor
Always paying whenever we go out somewhere
LOVE IS
Going through an alcohol rehab program and AA, because his family means more to him than anything.
LOVE IS
Taking me to get ice cream when the rest of my family went to a water park. I had to stay back because of…you know…”Aunt Flo.” I was so upset to miss this day trip we had planned. He never asked me anything about it, just took me for ice cream and mini golf. I felt so special that day.
LOVE IS
Telling me to “keep my head up” at school, because I thought the world ended when a boy broke up with me.
LOVE IS
Opening up to me about his time in Vietnam. I will never forget that conversation. He’s pretty quiet about it but agreed to being interviewed for a school project.
LOVE IS
Voluntarily writing an entire college history paper for me, because history was always his favorite subject. I got an A.
LOVE IS
Walking me down the aisle, giving me away and giving the best speech at my wedding. I once went away on a summer long music missions trip. He told me to have fun but not to come back with “any damn boyfriends.” He was so tired of me crying over boys. Turns out I met my husband on that trip. So at our wedding he said, “Andrew, welcome to the family. And Monica, thanks for not listening.”
LOVE IS
Helping my husband and I move to Florida right after we got married and helping us move again, back to Illinois, after my husband was finished with grad school.
LOVE IS
Taking a week off work to stay with me after my first baby was born. My husband wasn’t home due to an intense internship and he had the crazy night shift. My dad helped by getting up in the middle of the night to hold her so that I could sleep. Or hold her when I was too depressed to do anything. He is my biggest baby whisperer.
LOVE IS
Flying with me, just so I wouldn’t have to travel alone, with a 4 year old and infant.
LOVE IS
Driving a 3 hour round trip ride just to pick me up at my house and take me to his house for a weekend. He never likes when I drive by myself.
LOVE IS
Picking out all on his own, a piece of jewelry, to wrap up in the tackiest way and give to me at Christmas. The box always says “from Santa” and the jewelry is always beautiful.
LOVE IS
Sitting next to me while I played a song on my guitar and sang at my grandma’s funeral. I just needed that support and he was there.
He is a man of few words sometimes. It turns out I don’t need thought provoking conversations all the time or inspirational words of advice. What I need and still thankfully have, is a very deeply caring and loving father, who at the end of the day, has taught me that actions speak louder than words. He has taught me the greatest lesson to carry with me throughout my life. I know what love is because of him, and for that I will be forever grateful.
Happy Father’s Day, Dad.
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This is so sweet! I haven’t always had the best relationship with my dad but it’s great now. And it’s been so special to see my husband with our two kids. They have such a lovely bond!
Your dad sounds like a great one. I should sit down and write something like this for mine.
This is the sweetest post. It sounds like you had a wonderful father. I am glad I had a great one too.
This is so beautiful. You dad sounds amazing.
This is absolutely beautiful and reminds me of my father, I was just on the phone clowning around with he and my mother! Such a sweet post!
Beautifully written and wonderful to see all your personal experiences with your dad! So special! I’m sure he is appreciating this post! ❤️
This is so beautifully written, such a sweet post! My dad and I always had a great relationship as well.
This is so sweet. A fathers love is an awesome thing for kids.
This is such a beautiful dedication to fathers. Love the message behind this post.
This is so sweet! I’m so grateful that my kiddos have such a loving father.
Aww this is such a lovely post – I think Dad’s come in all different forms sometimes they impart words of wisdom, sometimes there share moments, sometimes they just show love.
Such a beautiful post about dads. Perfect thoughts to consider as Father’s Day is just under 3 weeks away.
This is a beautiful way to honor your father. He sounds like a great dad.
This is so well written! I love fathers day because I can honor my Dad, my FIL and my husband! They’re all amazing fathers!!
What a beautiful tribute to your father. It reminds me of my husband and my daughter. He is always there for her!
Beautiful post. I agree I find myself sharing stories and things my dad said with my kids.
I never really knew my Dad, because he left when I was a toddler I can’t say that he taught me anything, aside from always being there for my children and making sure to choose a partner that would always be there for his kids.
This is such a beautiful Father’s Day Message for your Dad. It showcases all the small moments that can mean so much full of love.
Such a great post! Such a beautiful message to your dad! Loved reading it!
My dad is great,he is the perfect one and he deserves something like this. Nice post.
What a lovely tribute to your dad. While he may not have said profound things, it sounds like he did a dang good job in showing you how much he cherished you!
Nope, I’m not crying. *sniff* That was beautiful. Your father sounds amazing. More dads like him are needed in this world.
Father is so important in our lives. My father hasn’t said many loving words but I know he loves me and cares a lot! And I appreciate it a lot!
Oh, I love this! Such a beautiful post!
This is just so sweet and making me incredibly emotional just reading it. Love, love, LOVE these kinds of personal posts.
This is such a beautiful fathers day poem. I can feel the love you are sharing. So many wonderful memories!
This is such a beautiful Father’s Day message and tribute to your father!! So sweet.
So sweet! Dads really are the best.
This is so sweet and heartwarming. Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads out there.
This is absolutely heartwarming to read. It reminds me of my own father who I lost years ago!
This so beautiful and the sweetest thing that I read today.
I almost cry while reading this because it reminds me of everything about my Dad.
He taught me everything in this world and I owe everything on Him,. I love him and misses him so much.
This is a beautiful post. I loved reading your thoughts. I can’t believe Father’s Day is just a few weeks away.
This is so beautiful. Father’s really do bring a family full circle.
Awww, this is such a sweet post and it resonated with me. happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful fathers showing up everyday.
I think so many time love from our parents (maybe especially even from our fathers) are shown through actions, not words. Happy Father’s Day to your family!
I absolutely loved reading this heartfelt post. You are lucky to have such a great dad.
What a beautiful tribute to the love your father has shown you over the years. Actions speak louder than words, and you;re right, his actions speak volumes.
These are great thoughts on your dad. I didn’t grow up with a father in my life, and it is nice to hear about how you had a great bond with your father.
Father’s day is just around the corner and this would be my second year celebrating FD without my father. I just miss him so much!
Honestamente, you should have had some sort of Hanky Alert . What a bella tribute to your Father. Leading by example is the best a parent can do, and yours seems to have done it right.
This is such a beautiful message
This is really sweet and thoughtful. Love indeed has a lot of definitions. We all have different love languages and that’s why we express it in different ways.
Yes, I agree.. Love between daughter and father is something special. I love this.
This is such a thoughtful treat for your wonderful dad! Happy Father’s Day to him in advance!
This was so sweet to read. I love being a dad more than anything in the world, so it really hits home.
Very nice post!!! For moments of joy, fathers will always be a SPECIAL FRIEND
For that great love that they give us, for their example, support and dedication, they will always be for us the best.
This is so sweet message for your dad. It showcasing all your special moments that hold special place in your heart. Thanks for sharing.
This is so sweet! I love the bond between and father and daughter!