The most important man in my life is my Daddy. Yes, I’m 32 years old and still call him Daddy. He taught me that I am beautiful, I am strong, I am smart, I am loved and I am ok. The comfort and level of safety that I felt with him at 2, 3, and 4 years old has been magnified, as an adult. Were it not for my Dad, there were many things I doubt I could’ve made it through but he was always right there, supporting me, guiding me and most of all, loving me. I am the epitome of a ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’ and I wouldn’t give that title up for anything in this world. This relationship is especially important to me, as a professional in the early childhood field, because so many of today’s students are living in single-parent households, with an absentee father. I am blessed that my father has been in my life since day 1. Is he perfect? NO. And honestly, one of the things my mother says in times of negativity is that “He sucks as a husband, but he’s a damn good father”. In my father’s eyes, I can do no wrong. Because of this, I never wanted to do wrong-I never wanted to be seen differently in my father’s eyes. Sure, I messed up the way any child would but the difference in his discipline style versus my mother is what strengthened our bond. My dad wouldn’t yell, he wouldn’t give me a spanking, he wouldn’t ground me. He would simply talk to me and for that I am forever grateful. It taught me how to have patience with children, it taught me to always let them talk-just because they are children does NOT mean they do not have a voice, an opinion, a story, a reason or an excuse. Let them voice that.
My dad’s going to be 75 years old this summer and each day, I thank God for him and the blessings we have been able to share together. The relationship a woman has with her father is the foundation for her future relationships. I know this to be true, as I am living it and so are many of my friends and family.
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