A lot of girls do not develop a strong relationship with their father, but that was not the case for my dad and me. Ever since I was a little girl we would do things together and we have always been able to talk without any awkward silences. Granted, I do have a lot in common with my dad, but some girls were never able to experience the relationship that I have had the privilege to throughout my life.
I am about to start on a new journey as a college freshman which includes moving three hours away from my family and home which is an adjustment for all of us. However, this is a different change for my dad because he still sees me as the little girl that he would carry on his shoulders and tell fairytales to before bed. He is having to let his little girl go and I am sure that is scary and hard for him. These are just a few things that I want to make sure he knows as we start this new chapter in life.
1. Just because I am moving does not mean that we have to stop talking.
Dad, in this day and age FaceTime, texting, and phone calls make it incredibly easy for us to have a conversation a few times a week face-to-face and every single day with texting. I want to know about your day and I want you to know all about the things that I am doing for the first time. We will get the feel for things and find times that work for both of us. Do not worry.
2. You are and always will be my number one man
In college things change and with my boyfriend going to a different school it is probable that he will see me more than you will because of our visiting plans in order to make that relationship work. Please do not think that just because I am driving to see him more than I am coming home that I do not miss or love you. This is the time in my life where I am supposed to be getting closer to my boyfriends and starting to move away from you and mom so that I can have my own family one day. It is nothing personal.
3. You taught me a lot throughout my eighteen years under your roof
Over the years you have taught me so many things that I will use for the rest of my life and probably even more in college because it is the first time away from home. You have taught me how to be strong even when I feel like being weak, that giving up is never an option, that sometimes things do not go my way but that I need to deal with it, and that I am never alone because I can always ask you for help and you will be there as soon as you can. I appreciate all of these things and all of the other lessons that have been demonstrated throughout my life.
4. Your support means the world to me and I will always come home
Every time I have ever thought about doing anything I have asked you what your opinion was. Having your support on my major and my choice of school, boyfriend, and basically future life is so comforting to me because it helps me to be confident in myself which we both know is the key to success. No matter what happens in my life, I promise to always come home to see you and mom. I will always want to be a part of your life and I want you to be a part of mine. Being home with you is important to me and even though there will be distance between my visits, I will be back.
5. I am still your little girl
No matter how far away I am or how "independent" I am when I head off to school and then eventually to my career and own home, I am always going to be your little girl. I will always ask for your help because you are my hero. I know that this is going to be a hard time for both of us, but the relationship that we have is forever and I am so excited to tell you about my new adventures. I love you, Dad. Thank you for being the best dad ever.
Love,
Your Babygirl
