Isn't it typically the fathers absence in a child's life, and not the mothers? I have the opposite, I have a dad in my life--in other words, a best friend. Someone who does it all with their strength, and their presence when you need it most.
Living with a single dad has taught me things from a man's perspective and has ultimately shown me what a healthy relationship should be. The way a father treats his daughter often reflects the type of traits that we search for in other men. I have found that to be very true through trial and error, and what I've learned most is that your father is always right about a guy. He can sense the wrong one before you can, and knows a good one when he sees it. Dad's may not always understand, but their intentions are pure. Nobody wants to see their daughter get hurt, and one day when I'm a parent, I will prevent that at all costs too.
My dad is my best friend, my savior, and my light at the end of the tunnel. When things go wrong and I need help, he's my first call. He took on the role of a mother not knowing how to be both parents at once, and proved that he could do it. He holds all of the weight and stress that my mother left him/us with, and takes care of me on his own. When things got tough and our family split a part in all directions, he stayed strong and held it together... for us. I'll be first to admit that we are far from perfect, but he stuck around and wanted to be in my life, and for that, I'm forever thankful. Having only him in my life has shown me just how strong two people can be when they're together. Just when I think I can't handle the brokenness any longer, he holds his head high and picks me right back up again. When times got tough, he got tougher for the both of us. Now that is a man; someone who sticks around no matter how hard it gets.
We often overlook the good things we have until they are ripped away, leaving us feeling hopeless. If you are fortunate enough to have both parents and siblings, don't ever take that for granted. The worst form of pain is not feeling loved, and not having a mother's love is beyond any pain I've ever felt. Knowing that I'll never understand the mother I've had has only brought my dad and I closer. I'm thankful for her teachings in showing me exactly what I'll never be, while my dad continues to teach what I will be. To all the girls that are lucky enough to have their dads as their best friend: remind him you love him every day as if he'll be gone tomorrow, thank him for supporting you unconditionally, and in the end, make him proud.
