you'll always be...

I remember the day, almost like it was yesterday. I was about, 8 years old, and my dad and I were walking through Jacksonville, Oregon. I remember thinking, "today's the day, today's the day that I have to stop calling my dad daddy" and I remember feeling so sad, and wondering if it was actually going to be possible for me to start calling him dad. and I remember, I looked up at him and said, "okay dad" and it felt so strange to me, like it wasn't even me talking. I didn't like it, at all. But, I knew I needed to move into that next phase of life. But you know what? I wish I had never stopped. I don't know what gave me the idea that it was absolutely vital for me to stop calling him daddy, but he is and always will be my daddy.

I love you dad

My dad means the whole world to me. He is strong, wise beyond words, caring, compassionate and loving.
He would always have the answer, for everything. And while he's not a loud person, when he spoke, everyone knew to listen.
I will always look up to my dad, no matter how tall I grow. And even though I'm 25 years old and out on my own, I will always think of him as my daddy. My daddy who comforts me, and more than anything in the world, doesnt want to see his little girl get hurt. I could sit here and write a 10 page letter about how much my dad means to me but that still wouldnt even begin to paint a clear enough picture of what he means to me.

I can see the day, my wedding day, and my dad is walking me down the aisle, and I'll look over and see a single tear roll down his face, and I'll say to him, "you'll always be my daddy"


I remember the first time I heard this song. A friend and I were up in Portland, driving through Tillamook to go camping. This song came on and we both cried. It was such a sentimental, meaningful song. And then, a few days later, my dad called me, and said, "listen to this song, it's from me to you" and when I saw which song he was talking about, I nearly broke down in tears. My heart was so full of love, and warmth at that moment.

My Little Girl

By Time McGraw

Gotta hold on easy as I let you go

Gonna tell you how much I love you

Though you think you already know

I remember I thought you looked like an angel wrapped in pink so soft and warm

You've had me wrapped around your finger since the day you were born

You beautiful baby from the outside in

Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again

Go on, take on this whole world

But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl

When you were in trouble that crooked little smile could melt my heart of stone

Now look at you, I've turned around and you've almost grown

Sometimes you're asleep I whisper "I Love You" in the moonlight at your door

As I walk away, I hear you say, "Daddy Love You More"

Your beautiful baby from the outside in

Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again

Go on, take on this whole world

But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl

 

Someday, some boy will come and ask me for your hand

But I won't say "yes" to him unless I know, he's the half

That makes you whole, he has a poet's soul, and the heart of a man's man

I know he'll say that he's in love

But between you and me

He won't be good enough

Your beautiful baby from the outside in

Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again

Go on, take on this whole world

But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl

When I asked Riley what he most remembers about my dad, he said he remembers this camping trip years ago, we were about 14 years old, and we were all sitting around the fire saying nice things about one another (a Mitchell family tradition) and he remembers when it came around to my dad, he looked at me and said, "Reilly, you are the apple of my eye"
Then Riley says to me, "I will never, ever, forget that."
 
The thing that I most appreciate about my dad, is how he always had a way of making me feel better, or comforting me in rough times, with either just a few words or maybe even none, sometimes all it took was a hug from my dad. And everything was all better.
Another thing, he always let me be me. He always encouraged me to spread my wings and do what made me happy. I appreciate him so much and all he has done for me.
 
 
 
 

Dad, you will always be my daddy.