Happy Daddy's Day

I once read, "anyone can be a father, but it takes a man to be a daddy," or something to that effect. It's a pretty true statement, at least in my life. I have never in my life called my daddy, "father," the name just doesn't fit him. In fact, I rarely even call him "dad." He has always been daddy, since I could talk (although I'm sure there was a period when all I could day was "dada"). This subject came to light when I moved in with my roommate last fall. She found it odd that at nineteen years old, I still call my dad the juvenile name that usually sorts itself out before you hit double digits. It really got me thinking, why is it that I use "daddy," when addressing my dad. 

I think there are a couple reasons. My dad, for all his fifty-five years, has always called my grandparents, "mama and daddy." Even when my grandfather was ninety-two, and on his death bed, he was still my daddy's, "daddy." That makes sense, children often mimic their parents in almost every way possible (at least till they realize that it is okay to make their own decisions). But the next couple of reasons are the REAL reason I call my dad, "daddy." He has two girls, and a wife, for a grand total of three women around, influencing his life, at all times. He has never once made qualms about this at all. In fact, he has sat through twenty years of  dance recitals, choral concerts, piano recitals, band concerts, and has even managed to at least pretend to enjoy his time spent. 

Sure, he passed his love for football off along the way, but being able to interject into the ACC or SEC's upcoming season and quote stats along with the boys has always been a blessing in my eyes. My intense passion for orange and maroon and my beloved Hokies would never have formed so deeply without my daddy's insistence of various Tech tees and football parties. I know how to split wood, hammer nails, properly paint a room, and various other things I would never have learned without my daddy. Along with various teachings of household duties, I know how to listen the RIGHT way... however difficult it may be for me to stop talking :P. I also know how to value my time with my family, and respect not only my parents but everyone older than me, with my tone, not just my words. Alas, at twenty, I am finally learning to, "use my head," my daddy's wiser than most mentality about anything and every situation.

His unfaltering faith in his fathers, both heavenly and earthly, has truly shown me the importance of a daddy, and how special mine is. So Happy Daddy's Day to all those daddy's... especially mine. You are loved and cherished :)