Similarly to many, I too, grew up with a single parent. Unlike some that seems to be the "single mom" routine, I grew up with a single dad. Not only a single dad raising one or two children. But a single dad raising four girls. Yeah, raising four females, two years apart. At times, it was very difficult, but looking back I can't imagine it being any other way. I don't refer to myself as a "daddy's girl" because that is no way to describe my relationship with him. My dad is my biggest supporter, motivator, challenger and the first call when I need someone to talk too.
If you or anyone you know grew up with a single parent, you understand the awkwardness when someone doesn't know and they'll say something like, "Are your parents going?" or "Is your mom going to be there?" ...I've dealt with it all. I never had a mom to go shopping with. I never had the opportunity to have a "Mom/daughter day" and, to be honest, I don't really think I missed out.
My dad was teaching me to drive standard at the young age of fourteen and taking me on motorcycle rides (his favorite toy) during the summer months. He was constantly driving my sisters and I to our numerous sporting events and games all over the state while telling us what we need to improve on during the car ride home.
People who come from single family homes understand the severity of appreciating what is important in life. No matter what happens to the other parent, a sense of understanding comes from growing up with only one parent. It takes patience, especially for a dad raising four girls on his own, but he has taught me that no matter what life throws at you, it can be conquered.
My favorite line my dad consistently uses is when people say to him, "Jim, I don't know how you do it." He always makes jokes to my sisters and I such as how it's not like he had a choice. You can't just walk out on your family. In hardships, you truly understand the courage someone has by their ability to step up or walk away. With a single family household, it is very easy to see all of the hard work a parent has to put in to be everything they can be for their child(ren).
My dad is everything and more. He is the first person to talk about all of the great things my sisters and I are doing, not knowing that he plays a pivotal part in it. He has pushed us all to defy gravity and reach our full potential at all times.
I can't imagine a life with two parents. I don't really think I missed out because I was fortunate enough to have the greatest single parent I could have ever hoped for.
