To Dads with Daughters…

If you’re anything like my husband, then your first thought when you found out your wife was expecting was, “Oh sweet! Now I’ll have someone to play catch with!” or “Awesome! A new golfing buddy!”

And then you found out you were having a girl.

You weren’t disappointed. You just needed a little time to get used to the idea of dolls and dance recitals instead of dump trucks and dinosaurs.

But I’m also guessing that shortly after she arrived, you quickly forgot about all of those things as you were immersed into the wonder that is little girls. You forgot all about your cars and your sports as you dove headfirst into the world of tutus, tea parties, and feelings.

I’m sure it didn’t take you long to realize that, little girls? They’re pretty wonderful.

And throughout your life, you’ll get to experience all of the special moments that only a daddy and his daughter share.

When she’s small…

You’ll be her hero.

You’ll be her knight in shining armor, the man who saves her from spiders and the monsters under her bed. You’ll twirl her through the air, cuddle with her on the couch, comfort her, scratch her back, and let her have just one more sweet treat after she flashes you that irresistible toothless grin.

She’ll let out one of her high-pitched squeals, jump for joy, and come running into your arms every day when you get home from work.

She’ll make you a better athlete, because after 573 games of hopscotch, your agility, balance, and finesse will be top notch.

She’ll teach you to be a better salesman, as she flashes that winning smile to the customers at her lemonade stand and shows you just how far a little kindness can go.

She’ll teach you to swallow your pride and embrace your inner Michael Jackson as you dance across the stage at your first daddy-daughter dance.

You’ll never run out of songs to sing at karaoke, because you’ll know every word to every single Disney song ever written.

You’ll live a life full of endless hugs, sass, laughter, and “I love you’s”.

And she’ll make you a better man.

When she’s grown…

You’ll be her hero.

You’ll be her knight in shining armor, the man who supports her crazy dreams and saves her when her car breaks down. You’ll be the man who always makes her feel beautiful, reminds her to update her license plate stickers and speak nicely to her mother, and who never lets her leave the house without a can of pepper spray.

She’ll be your pride and joy as she walks across that stage in her cap and gown.

You’ll be the first one she’ll call when the faucet at her new apartment starts leaking, or she needs advice on buying a car.

She’ll value your opinion, and seek your approval as she embarks on her future, and introduces you to the man she has fallen in love with.

You’ll be the man she wants by her side when she walks down the aisle, and you’ll be overwhelmed by her beauty when she does.

She’ll surprise you with her wise and selfless choices.

She’ll teach you to be a better listener as you sit back, relax, and enjoy her company while she does all of the talking.

She’ll never forget to call on your birthday, Father’s Day, and every other day in between.

She’ll remind you so much of her mother in the way she nurtures and loves the people around her, and knows how to make everyone feel at home with a warm meal and welcoming arms.

You’ll live a life full of endless hugs, sass, laughter, and “I love you’s”.

And she’ll make you a better man.

And in your old age…

You’ll be her hero.

You’ll be her knight in shining armor, the man who saved her from spiders and the monsters under her bed. The man who supported her crazy dreams and rescued her when her car broke down. And as she twirls into the room, cuddles with you on the couch, comforts you, scratches your back, and offers you just one more of the sweet treats she made you, you’ll flash her a toothless grin as you realize just how wonderful life has been.

Because you lived a life full of endless hugs, sass, laughter, and “I love you’s”.

Because she made you a better man.

And in that moment, you’ll thank God for the little princess who made you a king.

(Ps. For the record, I happen to think those of you with little boys are equally blessed. As a matter of fact, I wrote another post a lot like this one, To Moms with Sons)