With Father’s Day coming up this Sunday, I have my Daddy on my mind.

I know my Dad isn’t perfect. No one is. But in my eyes, he can do no wrong. Ever.

He’s the only person in the world who’s been in my life every single day of my life. Together we’ve been through the highs and lows of life. We’ve been through intensely hard times, like the death of my Mom, and wonderful moments, like the birth of my oldest daughter, Zoe. But through it all, we’ve been there for each other. His love has carried me through the hardest moments of my life, and I hope he feels the same way.

To say I’m my Daddy’s little girl is an understatement.

I’ve learned a lot from my Dad. He taught me how to be a good and caring person, a hard worker, and to be honest and ethical. He taught me to always do the right thing, even when no one is watching. He treats people with kindness and respect, leads by example, and is an honorable man. He is a true gentleman, in every sense of the word.

It’s amazing what you can do when you are unconditionally loved by your family. When you feel the support of your family behind you, you can get through almost anything.

I know how special I am to feel like I’m my Daddy’s little girl.

I recognize how truly blessed I’ve been to have this in my life, and I don’t take it for granted. The older I get, the more I realize not everyone has had this in their lives.

If you don’t have a good relationship with your Dad, I’m sorry. Everyone deserves to feel truly loved by their Dad, and if you don’t, it’s not your fault. Don’t waste time wondering what you did wrong. Just remember, it’s never too late to change something. If there are things that have happened in the past to damage your relationship, try and forgive him.  Don’t do it for him, do it for yourself. Carrying around baggage can wear you down. Try one more time, to reach out to your Dad, and open the door. Maybe all it will take is one more try. And if it doesn’t work, at least you know you did everything you could do. And that’s worth something.

If your Dad has passed away, I’m heartbroken for you. I know only too well how hard it is to lose a parent. Let yourself shed a few tears, cherish your memories, and find peace in knowing how blessed you were to have had what you had.

If you’re fortunate to have a wonderful Daddy in your life, like I am, tell him how much you love him. Never take him for granted.

Make sure the people you love know how special they are to you, always.

Find meaning each day,

Dara