All children are godly, and having them is a great boon. But a father-daughter relationship is on a complete different plane.
Daughters are very special to fathers and it is a unique bond.
Today, I am going down a memory lane that I have never been on.
And, there is a very special reason for it.
My daughter, without a doubt, is the love of my life. I have been there whenever she needed me, but we have had our share of turmoils, fights, fun and games. Life is never even. We have to even out the odds. We have been there and done that.
For me, the father-daughter relationship is very special, because it tells me how my daughter has grown. A father is a daughter’s first action hero and a role model laying out the foundation of love, trust and security. I feel this bond will define my daughter’s future relationships with men.
Looking at my daughter’s self-esteem and confidence, I feel it results from my involvement in her life. Her ambitiousness and achievement-orientation makes me proud, however I am not sure that it comes from me, though I know it stems from our relationship.
When she was very young, I was used to calling her ‘princess’ and I was her superhero. We laughed together. I fed her, spoke to her when she cried, changed her diapers, played with her toys. I spent every free minute with her, took her everywhere, even to the dirty vegetable market. She could find solutions to general problems in life because of her observations besides learning how to buy vegetables :). This molded her into having much lower anxiety levels, that I see today.
We had some amazing birthday parties at home when I cooked for the children, played games with her mates, blown balloons together, celebrated Holi, Diwali and looked forward to occasions when we could have the most fun. The only detriment came when she was 2. She had to share me with her younger brother. She said nothing, but it took about a year for her to accept the fact that she was facing competition, and we never looked back since.
I keep telling her today to fly in any direction but with complete effort. She understands I am her rock and will not let her fall, come what may. No wonder her self-confidence rocks, and life and people do not inhibit her from anything, unless I tell her. It is important to say ‘NO’ too, for many things that adolescents do. I have done that without mincing words and looking back, she has understood the reasons. She has a value system which is much brighter than her peers.
My daughter walked out on me a few times, but I did not quit. Most of these walkouts happened in her teenage years. I just stepped back and let her find herself. That age comes with a lot of influences. I have let her do what she wanted, but also guided her on what can happen next. As she grew, she understood they were mere temptations and I, as a father, have taught her how not to yield to them.
As a father, I am not sure if I was a great help to her in choosing her career. She chose 4 career paths which interested her, I just asked to put them on paper to compare every factor. She analysed, discussed and chose, and I went along. I have only told her to put all her effort into pursuing it, and if she doesn’t, there is no point in that entire exercise.
Her emotional balance and perception of relationships are not clear yet. She has to grow a little more. Honestly, mine is not a thrilling marriage, and I have had more than my share of marital issues. I know it tells on children, one way or the other, but I guess I am lucky that my daughter is not aggressive, anxious or insecure, which most children from terrible marriages are.
She went to college last year and stays in the hostel. I miss her. But, the most amazing thing is that she calls me almost every day to talk to me. With all the temptations a first-year college student has, she calls me daily is something that I need to appreciate and take pride in. I guess our relationship has made her a balanced being, and I sincerely hope that she grows into a woman of substance.
We took a drive about 15 days before she went off to college and that was an eye-opener for both of us. We spoke about myriad things and for hours, onward and return. She had a lot of insights into life. I realised she has grown up before my very eyes to turn into an amazing girl. I trust her explicitly and she knows I will be her rock until I die.
I am writing this today because she surprised me with an amazing ‘Father’s Day’ cake which came from nowhere. I was exhilarated and my heart took me down this memory lane. I spoke to her, choked with happiness. She was happy and only we know that our hearts cried with happiness. Seems, it took her 3 days to find that cake with a boy and a girl on it. And, that she is piggy-backing on me says so much more!
She is still my little princess! She just came home from college 2 hours ago and this is what I had to do…
Not that I mind, I love feeding her, yet, I want her to grow up. A little muddleheaded I am, but I love myself for it ,and she does too!
You could say, I am spoiling her, but yes, if both father and daughter are happy doing it, and it does not affect life around us, why not? Expression in action is better than killing feelings, altogether, isn’t it?
Is it time I quit worrying about this elder child of mine? She is strong-willed, knows her way, and is mature enough to handle life and people. I am already proud of her!
I do hope this father daughter relationship goes a long way in the process of growing up to intertwine spiritually.
Beautifully penned and touching
Thank you sir.
Beautifully written dear Anil! More so because your precious daughter is our beautiful grand daughter too. It gave me so much happiness reading through your emotional and living article. Our Miki is a wonderful girl with her dear heart in the right place! She will do well wherever she goes. We all love her very much. May her life be enriched with much love, happiness, joy, good health and prosperity. May all that is best happen to her !
Thank you Mausiji for your kind words.
Yes, she is an amazing daughter any father can have.
I am very proud of her and you should be too.
Thank you for your wonderful wishes too.
So touching and you penned well all the errands so nicely. Great Anilji.
Thank you Shyam.
So heartwarming
Thank you madam.
Very beautifully expressed relationship between father,daughter and son.Yes father’s role is not to be undermined but mother’s role in rearing children is no less.
Definitely your daughter is strong and well groomed.Credit goes to both the parents.Love to your lovely daughter and blessings to the family. With ❤.
Thank you Mrs. Sharma for your kind words.
Both parents play an equal role but a father-daughter relationship is a very special one.
I was only harping on that.
Thank you for the amazing wishes.
Fathering children, being a father and living as an epitome of fatherhood is a journey that can evolve every man and connect him to his higher self.
This piece of heartfelt write-up turned my eyes misty.
Thank you madam.
Great you felt that way.
True and fact
The best things god is given to us.
#$£€behappy
Very much Manoj.
God has given us goddesses, in the sense that only they are capable of progeny.
Proud and happy.
Thanks and truly appreciate the emotional pen down about your heartfelt feelings about the little girl who is blossoming into a beautiful women.
Undoubtedly you will remain her zero irrespective of our parenting styles. The end matter only results, that’s the smile on the kids face and happiness to share her feelings and thoughts for her dad.
Kids these days are much smarter and revel better having seen the family ties and bonds much closer and stronger.
I for one am very happy for the proud dad that you are to Miki and wish that your bond grows even more stronger like the Fevicol Jodi.
God bless Miki and wishing her success in all her endeavours in life.
Thank you Col Lakshman for all the wishes.
But ‘zero’ lol!
Awwww, super cute ❤️
Thanks Sammy.
Beautiful read.
Thank you Somashis da
Thank you papa, I will always be there for you.
I know baby.
Dear Anil,
Very nicely penned and it reminded me of my Father who is my super Hero and Role Model. My father taught us the values of life which was embedded in our early child hood and has helped to shape our lives. Undoubtedly, father plays a very prominent role in the child’s life specially daughters.
Fathers are guardian and a guide,
Someone that we can count on
To be ALWAYS ON OUR SIDE
May your bond with your daughter grow stronger each day and your princess remain happy forever.
Thank you Seema.
Glad it rekindled a few memories..
Thank you for your wishes.
You’ve penned it well, Anil. Yes, you should let go. She sounds like a wise, smart intelligent young woman and will whole heartedly appreciate your trust in her. Daughters are just not a blessing – they are our hope too. Hope to change this world into a better place to be in, just like I’m hoping my daughter will be.
Yes, they are Shraddha, very much.
They are a hope, yes, in a way they understand the world better than most.
I am sure, she will be Shraddha. All we can do is nurture them into good women.
I am trying.
Very true and touching
Thank you Popat sir.
Very nicely written .well done.
Thank you Bharati madam.
You are no don’t adorable father. Life is full of ups and with new challenges ahead. You’re always exception as far as I know. May God bless with a cheerful relation.
Thanks Seema for the kind words.
Expressed with emotions – the dad about his daughter. We are Blessed with two daughters and one granddaughter from each . We consider ourselves lucky and without doubt daughters are gems of their father and granddaughters are the Double Gems. Your turn will come Anil and I am sure you would be a super grand dad👍👍
Thank you Colonel.
I do have a gem.
Don’t know how the future will turn out, but yes, i will try my very best.
Thanks again sir.
its really worth reading and your beautiful words makes so happy while reading this 🙂 god bless you with everything infinite 🙂
Thank you Abhishek.
All the very best to you too.
This is a “Touching” Eye-opener, which only a Loving
Father can write, on his Loving Daughter.
Hope your Bonds bind you together in an Awesome Relationship, that would last a Fulfilling Lifetime..
Thank you for the kind words Kingshuk.
Very well expressed and beautifully written.
Thanks Nitin sir..
An explicit portrayal of a father daughter relationship.
There are times when we have to give space to the child , or the daughter in your case, as well as to ourselves . Probably the best outcomes are from self awareness.
Very true Roshni madam.
Wonderful.
This is the love and warmth that every father would dream for.
Whats more important in life than being genuinely cared for. This care is possible only by one person- the daughter.
Thank you Prajosh for your kind words.