Only a couple years later and I'm starting to look back and understand why I was told no, and I'm becoming so grateful to my parents for saying it so often.
Women who have close relationships with their fathers can relate on the very special, indirect life lessons that their fathers teach them all throughout life. The most important lessons are the ones taught while growing up into adulthood. Sure, he wouldn't let you stay out until 2 a.m. or take random rides with strangers, and you were so angry with him at the time, but looking back now you see why he said no. Be sure thank him next time you see him.
Here are the eight important lessons I think we can all agree that our fathers tried to ingrain in us as young women:
1. Give everything you do 100 percent.
Although some things we strive to do seem like so much fun, when we start them we sometimes learn that it isn't always the easiest task. For example, it's appealing to say you went to college to study biological engineering and will pursue a career in making artificial body parts from a single human cell, but it's not so easy once classes start. When you call home crying about how hard your classes are, you know your Dad is always on the other end giving you a pep talk reminding you of how awesome you are.
2. Never settle for anything.
This stands for significant others, friends, food and anything else you can imagine. This is a lesson I learned from my Dad early in the game. He always said, "If it isn't the first thing to catch your eye, then it's not the right one." I have found this to be so accurate with almost everything in my life. The shirt I found at the mall isn't exactly what I want? Fine, it isn't good enough, and I'll find one that is. While it teaches you to be determined to get exactly what you want in life, it also saves your wallet sometimes as well.
3. You always deserve the best.
This is hands-down one of the most important lessons a father could teach his daughter. You should never expect anything except the best. Find someone who treats you like a princess, get the grades you work hard for, kill that interview for the job you have been eyeing down the past couple months. Of course, to get the best you have to try your best which goes back to lesson one. But as long as you're giving it all you've got, you deserve that in return and never forget that.
4. Family is your ultimate backbone.
At the end of the day, your family is always there for you. Too drunk to get home from a party you weren't supposed to be at? They'll still come get you. Lost a game because of a stupid mistake you made? They'll be waiting on the sidelines with ice cream and hugs. End up in a jail cell at 3 a.m. in the morning? They'll come pay your bail (hopefully). Sometimes our friends get overwhelmed by our problems and bail. That's when you find out who your true friends are, and Mom and Dad are always No. 1.
5. Be strong and independent.
Besides your family having your back, you should have your own. Leaving for college is good for this. Learning to cook, living on your own and actually waking yourself up for class are important things for the real world, and the faster you learn this, the better off you'll be. For those of you who were told to get a job while at college, you will be thankful for it later in life. Of course most fathers never really want to let their little girl go, but they make sure you can survive on your own before they have to get you go.
6. Unconditional Love.
No one loves you as much as your Dad, except maybe your Mom, but the protection a father has over his daughter is like no other. If anyone ever makes you upset, hurt or mad you know your Dad is always the first one to defend you. He is your first true love and shows you how you should be loved one day by another person. So, remember to tell your Dad you love him next time you see or talk to him, and laugh at his horribly funny dad jokes.
7. You'll always be Daddy's Little Girl.
No matter if you are 5, 25 or 40, you will always be Daddy's Little Girl, and that's perfectly okay. You'll never lose the special bond you have with your Dad and it's something you should cherish forever
