To My Dad's New Girlfriend:
You've been in his life for almost a year now, give or take a few months. I'm not exactly sure because, well, my dad wasn't sure when he should share the news with our family. But now there's almost a day that he doesn't spend at your side. You probably know him pretty well by now, but I also want you to know a few more things about him.
1. My dad is super stubborn, but he will let you win in a fight if it means that he won't lose you. Remember this, and don't take advantage of it.
2. He has always worked extremely hard, and maybe a bit too much. If he puts you off because of work, don't be offended--he's always done that.
3. Let him hold your hand when possible/when you're comfortable with it. He's a romantic at heart, and he's making up for lost time.
4. He understands that you are a strong, capable woman, and can appreciate that.
5. That being said, let him be chivalrous once in a while. (As I said: he's a romantic at heart.)
6. You're allowed to speak your mind. You're allowed to tell him off, and to correct him when he's wrong. (He may be my dad, but he's also human.)
7. On that same note, don't be surprised if he calls you out when you need it. My dad shows that he cares by taking the time to let you know when you're not at your best.
8. Like many people, my dad has a past. That does not invalidate his feelings for you.
9. He has loved and majorly lost at least two times in his life. He doesn't take these things lightly.
10. My dad loves to cook, and will make dinner at a moment's notice.
11. Even when he shouldn't because he doesn't have the money, he will give gifts and take you out to dinner to make sure you feel loved.
12. His daughters worry about him a lot, so keep an eye on him for us.
13. He will learn just about anything to impress you/help you out.
14. That being said, he can sometimes become a bit of a know-it-all. Call him out before he accidentally mansplains.
15. Each of his daughters takes some of their best traits from him (and some of their worst, as well). Once you get to know us more, you'll see what I mean.
16. Some of his best traits were learned because of his daughters, like how to control anger and how to deal with just about every type of personality and humor. Once you get to know all of us better, you'll see what I mean.
17. Don't worry about him expecting major things from you. He has seen a lot of life already, and at this point, he just wants someone to hold.
18. To be clear: my father trusts you. If anything, he's still not sure whether or not to trust his heart.
19. He's a strong man, but that doesn't mean that he'll insist on traditional roles. There have been many times that he has hosted tea parties for my younger sisters and their stuffed animals, and many other times that he has pushed me and my older sister to pursue our dreams and not care if we're told that we can't because we're women. He's feminist af.
20. He will insist on honesty and openness. Again, he trusts you, but experience has shown him that honesty is always the best policy.
21. He is a strong man, but don't think that he won't cry and feel emotions with you. He understands the importance of emotions and having them, so don't be afraid to show him that side.
22. My dad is a giant nerd. For real. My sister and I were shown Star Wars at the tender age of 7 and 9. We didn't even understand half of the films' nuances, but he sat there and watched with us and explained everything so that we'd appreciate it with him.
23. His humor is a mix of sarcasm, black humor, sick jokes and general weirdness. (Again, he sat me and my sister down with a bunch of movies starring Will Ferrell and other SNL alumni to help us fully appreciate his humor. Be glad that you will not undergo the same process.)
24. Be careful about what you tease him about/what you say in anger. He is a strong, brave man, but he cares about what your opinion more than you think, and will try to fix things about himself that may not actually be broken, just for your approval.
25. He was a father before he met you, so please don't be surprised that he tries to include his daughters in everything. He's not hiding behind us--he wants to get to know you, and he wants to make sure that we like you and don't mind that Dad is opening his heart up to someone new.
26. Most important one: he loves you, and that is not to be taken lightly. My dad has a great capacity for love, and he will love you even if you hurt him. All I ask is that you don't. I know my dad isn't a saint--he's only human, and he's trying to better himself when he gets the chance. But he deserves love more than anyone I know, because he is one of the best people I know. (Though I may be biased.)
I write this not to criticize you, but to let you know who you're dating. I write this not to scare you, but to give you a better idea about things that may go unsaid when it comes to my dad. I say this on behalf of my sisters and I because we just want to see him as happy and as loved as he makes us.
Welcome to our family. Take care of him for us.
