Her Greatest Gift

Today the need to thank the man who is half the reason my daughter is the beautiful child she is, is strong. The man who is kind, funny and smart. The man who gave up everything for love. The man who makes me want to tear my hair out and jump his bones all in the same moment. He is the goofiest bastard I've ever met and he owns the key to the chamber that houses my heart.

My own Father did not love, only hated. Only hurt. I wanted my daughter to have everything I didn't have in a Father. And she does. She has a Dad. A Daddy. A play toy, playground and all around pushover. A giggle buddy, a smile monster, a cartoon watcher. He hugs, he kisses, he loves. He never yells and is usually the instigator in the trouble making. He is everything a Dad should be. Everything. And a million things more.

So to him I say thank you. Sometimes you make my blood boil and sometimes you make me utter words of extreme vulgarity. But when I see you being the Dad, I suddenly forget every reason why I want to strangle you. And it is at those times I know, without a doubt, the greatest gift I ever gave to my daughter was her father.

Happy Father's Day. Especially to you Mr. Wanders, especially to you.