Some of my earliest memories with my dad are of camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing. If you were to flip through our family photo albums you would see it all for yourself. I have a pretty incredible family and we have always done so much outdoors, which I guess is why I still love it all and do not mind getting dirty when most girls wouldn’t dream of it. I cant imagine my life without all of the fun and crazy adventures my family has been though. I would love to tell you about all the adventures, but I want to tell you a bit about one person that has been there through them all holding my hand or silently supporting me. . . my daddy.
From the eyes of a little girl the whole world looks intimidating and full of things unknown. I am my daddy’s baby girl, his first. The first one he was able to hold and protect. My daddy taught me a lot of first things in life and has been there to pick me up when I get hurt. My dad is a strong man, brave and willing to get dirty. He is an all around handy man and can fix almost anything from cars to homes. I have seen him build many things over the years including amazing food creations in the kitchen. My dad can do it all from hunting and fishing to tucking me in and saying I love you at night. My daddy is the one that I still to this day make him put a worm on my hook when we go fishing and then remove the fish from my line once it has been caught. He is the one that I want to be proud of me when I cook something new in the kitchen so that we can make sure the spice are just right. I have memories of sitting on his lap learning how to drive the boat or truck as a little girl. I remember him standing next to me as I learned how to hold a shotgun for the first time. How proud of me he was when I shot my first dove. I can still clearly see our icy cold breath at 4:30am when we walked for miles the morning of my first deer hunt. I have always been my daddy’s hiking buddy through the hundred plus hikes that we have been on, like the Grand Canyon and Old Hundred Mine atop a mountain in Colorado. There are so many more memories I could write and recall,but these are some that have stuck with me over the years.
This year of my life and the months leading up to it were difficult for me. I remember the day I told my parents about the World Race and going away for 11 months. I figured my mom would be most supportive and tell me to go for it which she did, but it was my dad that I really wanted to have approval from. As little girls, we want that approval from our dads. I know now after being on the field for 6 months that he couldn't be prouder. Mom tells me a lot that my daddy misses me so much. I know that he has cried a few tears since I have been gone and tears up when I call him from across the ocean to say I love and miss him. I cant wait to see him and hug him. We have plans to go fishing when I get home and I look forward to it more than I ever have in my life. Some days I sit here and think about my dad, the times we have had and the memories that are still to be written. He will walk me down the aisle one day and hold his grandchildren on his lap. He will teach me and them all that he still has to offer and I will forever call him my daddy!
This is all to say thank you DADDY! Thank you dad for all of the memories that we have had together and for all the ones we have yet to make. I would not be the daughter I am today if you hadn't been there. I love you so much, save a hug for me for when I get home. Happy Fathers Day Daddy. Love your little girl.
