Dancing with Cinderella

To say I was a daddy’s girl would be putting it mildly. I had, uh, ok, I HAVE my daddy wrapped around my little finger… several times.

He always believed in me. He never once made me feel incapable of anything. He was my biggest motivator. Always instilled in me the importance of education, because he didn’t want me to ever have to rely on anyone.

I remember the late nights wathing “Married with Children” as he gently rubbed my arm {something Jayda now makes me do}. I remember the Johnny Cash concert at SPI. I remember the road trips. I remember his inability to get mad at me. I remember the walk down the aisle.

I remember the song he surprised me with on my wedding video. I remember his desire to take away my pain. I remember the look on his face when I told him I was pregnant {a look of worry mixed with excitement}, I remember when he held Jayda the first time.

I remember the love, the safety.

I still seek the safety that only his arms can give… the feeling of everything is ok because my daddy is here. Even at 32… it is needed. It is still a strong feeling.

To this day, he is there. To this day, I know he will come and save my day. I know that whatever I need, no matter what, my daddy will be there.

He is the greatest grandpa too. He, in his own little way, loves those kids more than life. The joy in his eyes when he talks about them. The good hit, the awesome basketball game, the football games, the golf tournaments… even the ballet recital… he is there for it all. And even when he tries to hide it… the gleam in his eye is there, the pride.

To this day, he is my hero. To this day, he is the first man I ever loved. He is my daddy.

Happy Father’s Day Dad! Thank you for everything. Thank you for being my rock.