To my very first love...

**yes I know this post is three days late...i've been working on it since the day before Father's Day**

Daddy,

They always say that when a little girl is born, she instantly wraps her daddy around her little finger. I'm pretty sure we fit that saying to a T.

As far back as I can remember, memories of my time spent with you all blur in to one word: "awe". I was in complete awe of you. You could make me smile with one word, make me instantly feel better with a big hug, and make me lose my breath in a fit of hysterics with one tickle of my ribs.

I remember holding your hand as a little girl, and thinking "geez, Daddy's hands are so big!" My tiny hand would wrap around just one of your fingers...and I'd feel so secure. With you by my side, I had no fear in the world.

I remember the first time I saw you cry. Gran-Gran passed away. Up to that point, I had never seen you cry. It ripped a hole in my heart, that to this day tears a little more every time I see you cry.

On my wedding day, I watched you stifle your tears as you handed me to Todd, and turned to sit with mom, clutching her hand, as you gave away your little girl. I cried through the ceremony. Partly because I was so happy and overjoyed at starting a journey with my new husband...but partly because my heart was aching. My heart was aching for those sweet innocent days of childhood, when all I needed to make me feel better was a hug from Daddy. My heart was aching, because yours was aching.

Now that I am a parent myself, I look at my sweet baby boy and have flashbacks of my own childhood. And I often lose myself in thoughts of recreating the same memories with Nicholas, that were created with you and mom. I watch you hold your grandson, and a new sense of pride glows around you. I realize how quickly time passes, and how fast Matt and I grew up. And my heart aches a bit more, because I realize I'm no longer a little girl.

But then my heart smiles, because I remember that no matter how old I get...I'll always be YOUR little girl.

Thank you for being the best Dad imaginable. Thank you for being one of my best friends. Thank you for the life lessons you have shared with us, and the love that you have encircled your family with. Our road may have been a bit rockier than some, but you taught us to plow through. I love you more than I can ever tell you, but I hope that you'll see my ever-growing love for my children, and know that I love them the way I love you, and the way you love us...and that...is immeasurable.

Happy 31st Father's Day, Daddy.

I love you always - forever - and after,
Your baby girl