Father’s Day

Exactly one year ago this Father’s Day, my dad gave me away. Gave my hand and my heart to another man. He graciously stepped aside from being the man who held the greatest authority and greatest affection in my life. But this relinquishing and letting go simply ushered in a new phase in our relationship.

There is just something special about the dad daughter relationship, and I am thankful for a father who, while not perfect, taught me what it meant to be cherished, respected, and honored. He was the first to give me flowers, the first to take me on a date, the first to open doors for me, the first to provide for me. And in all this he raised the bar wonderfully high for the man I was to marry. With a dad who loved me like that there was going to be no settling.

This Father’s day there is much to celebrate, and almost a coming of full circle. For (really any day now) another father daughter relationship is about to begin. Tomorrow Jeff and I will celebrate one year of marriage, and the imminent arrival of our little girl. Something tells me he’s going to captivate, protect and guard this little one’s heart in much the same way that my dad did for me. I can hardly wait to see her in his arms that first time!