Everyone has their own definition of what a great father is. Every little girl thinks their dad is the best dad in the whole world. Fathers are expected to support their families, walk their daughters down the aisle, and hate their boyfriends. However, the best fathers do so much more.
A father is someone who has children, but not all fathers deserve that title. Some fathers would die for their children; some prefer abandoning them. Some "fathers" would rather pay for a retirement plan than save for their kids' college tuition, and some work three jobs to send their kids to the best schools. But what makes the best father? Who is the best father? Now, I already know this looks extremely cliched; however, my father is the best father, and those who have met and know him can sense that the moment they are in his presence.
So, Dad, this is so you know your worth to not just me, but to everyone who affiliates themselves with you. Here are the things that make a great father and that make up the great father I am blessed to have:
1. supporting your daughters
2. standing by your wife
3. giving your children the world and making sure we learn the lesson of how nothing comes easy
4. teaching me some of the best morals of my life
5. teaching me that respect and honesty are some of the most important things in the whole world
6. for building yourself and truly accomplishing everything you have said you have wanted to
7. being the family's rock
8. teaching us girls that essentially any man we end up with is seriously screwed
9. making sure I stick to my plans
10. letting me do you everything you were never able to do as a kid
11. how generous you are, to not only your family, but to the people around you
12. how extremely humble you are
13. teaching me money is just a piece of paper and that it will never define a person
14. teaching me the saying "dreams are for losers, only have goals"
15. listening to boy problems and having to deal with "girl" things
16. dealing with mom (let's hope she doesn't read this, but if she does, mom, you're amazing and I love you!!)
17. not cutting me off at the age of 18-25 (I still need to be on your insurance, OK?)
18. teaching me the importance of family values
19. showing me tough love when I need to be put in my place
20. most importantly, loving me unconditionally
I can go on for days on the things that make you an amazing dad. There is not enough time in the day to possibly even record a documentary on how great you are. You are truly not only an amazing father, but an amazing man. If my siblings and I one day find a man half the man you are, we will be the luckiest girls in the world.
Now this is my definition of an outstanding father.
