My hero doesn’t come in the form of a superhero wearing a cape with flying capabilities, nor does he possess superhuman strength, but he’s much stronger than any superman in my eyes.

He’s my father.

I am fortunate to have a father in my life. I’ve witnessed the unimaginable feelings of sorrow from friends who’ve experienced absent fathers in their lives. The tears they shed could never completely resinate with me; I can only deeply sympathize with the emotions they must feel from never being able to experience the love of a father.

According to The National Center of Fathering, more than 20 million children live in a home without the physical presence of a father. The father may physically exist, but the emotional presence is absent.

Daddy, thank you for not being another statistic, but a man that challenges the stereotype of black fathers being obsolete in their child’s life.

What does it mean to be a father?

By definition, a father is a man in relation to his natural child or children, but if you google “daddy," it states “the best, or biggest example of something”.

This can be analyzed and dissected in several different ways, but to me my daddy is the “best” and “biggest example” of what it means to be a great man and father.

Whether my father knows it or not, he saved me.

He is my hero.

Because of him, I know my worth as a young woman. He set the standard for how men should treat me. I naturally expect admiration and respect from any man I date. I want the man I marry to exemplify the qualities my father possesses.

My future husband will have to understand my worth as much as I do and cherish my heart the way he has always done.

Thank you daddy, for helping me develop a good self-image and reminding me that my inner-beauty is more important than outward beauty. I understand by watching my father that a woman deserves nothing less than to be treated like the queen she is.

Make no mistake, fathers have a big impact in their daughters' life even at a young age. Children will observe adults' every move and pick up on their habits.

As a child, my father would take me everywhere with him; to the store, to eat. It didn't matter. All that mattered was the time we spent together.

Within that time I noticed his mannerisms and how even in certain situations he remained calm. His calm demeanor proved to me that men always resorting to violence and being irrotational is just a stereotype. In the time that he has been my father I’ve never once seen him get out of character or act in an obnoxious way.

To me, that is what a real man does.

He sets an example for his child.

I hope to one day find a man blessed with the same characteristics as my father, but I am certain I will never encounter a man with love stronger than the love of my daddy. He may never understand the gratitude I feel for all the lessons he unconsciously taught and instilled in me.

He has given me the opportunity to witness that good, black men do exist in this world. Ones that will protect, love, and respect me.

Thank you, daddy, for giving me the special gift of a father’s love.