Dad,
As I sit in the airport, watching a family of four bicker over something unseen, I am reminded of you. Not because of the bickering, even though we’ve done our fair share of that, but because of the way the father is looking at his young teenage daughter. That look is so familiar. It’s a look that says, “I love you more than you will ever know,” and I get it from you through every up and down we face together.
I’ve never quite been able to express my feelings toward you, but I’d like to try. First, I just want you to know how much I love you, despite the countless times I’ve blurted out, “I hate you!” in the spur of the moment. People usually say that relationships between a mother and daughter are the most tedious and hard to deal with by either party, but I know that a father's relationship with his daughter can sometimes be nearly impossible to bear. But the fighting, the silent treatment and the tension between us have only made our relationship stronger.
(Photo via Warner Bros.)
As I’ve entered adulthood, I have learned so much about myself. Everyone knows that we don’t learn the most in school; we learn from our everyday experiences. And from my experiences with you I have learned that no matter what you will always be there for me as a father and as a friend. Your immense patience is unparalleled, even though sometimes, like everyone does, you snap. Your kind heart is something I can only hope to inherit. Your love for Mom is the kind of love I hope to receive from my own husband some day. Thank you for everything you have done for me, from telling me when I’m too sassy for my own good to financially helping me attend an out of state school.
Every young girl believes that her dad is the strongest man in the world. I have believed that since the days when you lifted me up and let me stand on your shoulders to the days when you carried me from the couch to my bed because I was too sick to walk. Even though you can’t physically lift me up anymore, you lift me up in other ways. You make me feel smart and have instilled in me that I can do anything I put my mind to. You let me know that I am beautiful and kind. When you quote The Princess Diaries, you make me feel brave: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
I am so beyond grateful for everything you do for me, from working incredibly hard to provide for our family to editing my political science papers. So, Dad, I want you to know that I, too, constantly give you the look that says, “I love you more than you will ever know.”
Love always,
Mads
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