Dear Daddy,
Happy Birthday! I’m sitting here on the other side of the world imagining what it would be like if I were at home for your special day…I can picture you exactly: the way you open your cards, tilt your head to the side, and thoughtfully read them. After each card and present you will stand up, hug the giver, and plant a small kiss on their forehead…It’s funny to me how I can perfectly visualize this; I guess you know the actions of those you love.
I can’t be there in person today to present you with a card or hug or Happy Birthday wish, but I can let you know what God has placed on my heart.
I have been blessed with a truly amazing father, and I am incredibly grateful for you.
It wasn’t until college that I realized that not everyone in my kind of situation has a great dad. I guess I just assumed that if your family believed in God and your parents were still together, that your dad was loving and kind. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. I understand now just how naive that line of thinking was.
You did all the things a “good dad” should do. You coached the soccer team, attended recitals, bought me a car, helped pay for college, and told me you loved me every day. But what makes you the incredible father that you are goes so far beyond this.
You are an amazing father because:
…you uphold your integrity and make the hard decisions even when we don’t like them…
…you love and respect my mother more than anyone else in the world…
…you take me on movie dates…
…you let me fail and make my own mistakes, but you are always there with wisdom…
…you encourage all of your children to work to their fullest potential…
…you daily seek after the Lord and follow His will…
…you still play in the snow with us kids even though we’re almost all grown up…
…you are always my biggest fan…
…you snuggle on the couch with me whenever I am at home…
…you have continued to offer me love and spiritual guidance while I have been gone…
…and because you trusted God enough to let me travel the world for 11 months.
Dad, I know the reason you are the way that you are is because of your deep and lasting relationship with God. Thank you, so much, for constantly pursuing Jesus. I hope you have an amazing birthday, and I can’t wait to see you in Month 9 when you come for the Parent Vision Trip! 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Love you,
Lolo
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