The power of a father’s presence

I am so grateful I grew up in a household where my Dad was present. Well ... most of the time. His service in the U.S. Army for more than two decades took him away often, but it never lessened the strength of our bond. I always knew who my Dad was. And as an adult, I am thankful for the way his presence shaped my life and my sister’s. 

Long before we grow into our own identities, careers, and relationships, many of us first learn what protection feels like, what provision looks like, and what love sounds like by the men who raised us. My dad, along with a host of uncles, modeled that (and continue to do so) for me and the other young women in our family.

When basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, passed away in 2020, the hashtag #GirlDad permeated social media. Those two words served as a collective acknowledgement of the bond between fathers and daughters. The way that bond forms is the foundation for how girls learn to trust, to love, and to see themselves. A good father is active, intentional, and engaged. 

As we celebrated Father's Day yesterday - whether in joy or remembrance, I naturally thought about the relationship I get to have with my Dad. I thought back to childhood motorcycle rides to adulthood moments when he taught me how to pay bills and balance a checkbook to today, when he listens as I work through the challenges of running my own business. 

Fathers, like mine, who lead with love and understanding leave an imprint that lasts a lifetime. I am blessed by my Dad's presence, his guidance, and his compassionate ear. These traits have become part of my story; traits that I carry into my work and how I show up each and every day. 

So, this Father's Day, I am grateful. 

I am grateful to my Dad and all the dads who protect, provide, and teach their daughters what true love looks like. Thank you for making a difference by showing up with intention!