Six Reasons Why I Love my Dad…

Yesterday was Father's Day, and I called my dad to wish him "Happy Father's Day." As I mentioned in this post from last year, lately, I'm not one to celebrate. Days like Father's Day and holidays like Christmas have become like any other day to me. I have a lot going on in my life right not and in the past few years, I have found it hard to genuinely celebrate. I stopped making time to celebrate and appreciate. I am also currently struggling through some emotional issues with my parents, so my heart finds it hard to find the joy in Mother and Father's Day like I did in the past. I always call them to wish them a good day and leave it at that.

As I work through my issues with my dad and mom: a few emotional clogs in my heart and letting go of a few things, I decided to share the top six reasons  why I love my dad aside from him being a good father and a good provider.

I love my dad because...

6. Dad taught me that men are not made to sit around and watch football. They are part of a household and should be involved in the household. My dad can hold it down in the kitchen and around the house. When we were younger, my mom always had to chase him out the kitchen. I will never forget when my dad visited my sister and I for a week in college, and he decided to stay in our apartment. We both woke up to breakfast, came back home to find lunch and dinner waiting, our beds laid and our laundries done. We were not surprised, because my dad has always been committed to taking care of us then and now in all the little and big ways.  

5. Dad did not shy away from sitting my sister and I down for a little sex talk. He did it a few times and we shut him down each time. It was the funniest scene in the world. I can never forget our expressions the first time he tried, we shut it down in the first few minutes and I think he was glad we did, because he was uncomfortable. You can't blame him, my breasts grew out way to early. Uncomfortable poor father of two beautiful girls

4. Dad chose his family over money and status. I remember when we were younger and he was transferred by his job to a different location in a dangerous part of the country. My mom was out of the country for a while. I watched him struggle over moving to an awesome job with a GOOD raise to choosing to stay with us. My dad chose us. I will never forget that sacrifice, because it was a huge one. My siblings and I in our hearts did not mind him going. because it meant more freedom for us (at least, I was thinking it). However, I knew all along that he would choose us. Looking back, he made a sacrifice that I believe he is still paying for, but he made the right choice. 

3. When I was a little girl, one of our neighbors fondled me. I told my friends that we needed to avoid him, my friends told a guy who had a crush on me, he told my sister and my sister told my dad. Daddy marched across the street to confront the jerk. I'm still not sure how I feel about him confronting the guy even many many years after, because I had to endure the stares, the scoffs, the "she asked for it" and the "she is probably lying" that some people throw at me after that. (I believe that is one experience that taught me not to care about what people think about me) However, I love him. because I know it took all in him not to kill the man. It was also the first time I saw my dad cry.

2. My dad told me a while back, "I don't have an issue with who you choose to marry or his race, but he must love Jesus and love you more than I love your mom." (I am not sure how he hopes to figure the latter out. lol) He blew my heart out of its shell.

1. For as long as I can remember, EVERYTIME I walk into a room, my dad brightens up on seeing me and says "My baby." It is like he is seeing his girl for the first time in a long time, even if I saw him a day before. He makes my heart skip and reassures me that this man loves me. I always long to go visit my parents, and I approach the house with giggling heart, because I know I am about to make my dad smile and about to hear him address me as "AdeOla, my baby." My heart is at its best in that moment.

I love my father!

Beloved, You are Loved Absolutely!