Friday, November 21, 2008

He loved me first

There is something extraordinarily significant about the first guy in a girls life. The guy who loved her before she even knew what love was. Whether this important male figure is present or absent, it is always a relationship which affects us greatly. It shapes our perspectives, ideals, expectations, and responses. God planned this most important relationship with careful precision. A daddy and a daughter.
He will guide her He will teach her He will protect her And one day he will give her away But he loved her first - and will love her forever
Daddy, Sometimes I just assume that you know this, but today I want to articulate it. You have been so important in my life. Ours has not been a particularly emotionally close relationship, but my appreciation for you is wholehearted. I think the only real emotionally close relationship you have is with mom and I'm so glad you have her. I rejoice and celebrate with you in the 37 years you have had together! (Don't forget dad - next Wednesday is your anniversary. Flowers might be nice...) We haven't always seen eye to eye, and I know I have disappointed you at times. Some times my decisions are not those you would make, but I have been granted a glimpse of a respect from you that steps back and allows me to be me anyway. At times I find myself in a similar position - not understanding or endorsing a decision you have made, but I too have learned to esteem you respectfully regardless of the situation. We know that whether we are right or wrong God is working for something far greater in each of us - and he will be faithful to complete it. This has become the quiet modification of our relationship. We now relate to each other as adults. And yet inside there is still a little girl who continues to look at the first man in her life - sometimes with shining satisfaction in her eyes as if to say "do you see what God is doing in my life? Do you see what I'm becoming? Are you pleased?" At times those eyes can barely look up - they are faltering and questioning, "Daddy, am I okay? Am I worthy of your love?" Whatever your response may be, you are backed by a Father who knows all, reveals truth, and loves perfectly.

Sometimes my David reminds me of you and I smile. Cause I've heard that a girl will inevitably look for qualities in a husband that she has admired in her daddy. I remember how supportive you were of my relationship with Dave from the very beginning and I am so grateful. Becuase you knew. You saw the protective love from him and you were able to let me go with the satisfaction and confidence that I would be well taken care of.

When I was little you were the protector and provider. I was in awe of your strength and a bit fearful of your authority. Sometimes our stubbornness clashed, resulting in frustration. We are so much alike... sometimes maybe too much :) The baby, the youngest of your five, and yet the one who so often dared to talk back to you. I think 'brassy' was the word we used... remember? :)

I love seeing you with my kids. It warms my heart to watch my boys interact with the man who had so much to do with who I am. I only wish I could see that more often. They love you.

Happy Birthday. Thank you for showing Christ to me. I love you

~Bitty One

24 comments:

sara said...

what a beautiful letter and blessing for your father!

Aspiemom said...

I'm sure that letter will mean so much to your father. Good for you for putting such beautiful sentiment into words for him.

Kari Dawson said...

I hadn't really planned on the cry this morning. Beautiful.

dani said...

what a lovely, sincere birthday wish to your dad, wendi:) i hope he has a wonderful day!!!
and, i hope he knows what a blessing his brassy girl really is.
much love,
dani

Sara@iSass said...

Oh my, Wendi. Again a difference for us. How lovely of a post for your Dad. I cried for you, in happiness, I cried for me in lack...you my lady, are such an inspiration, and learning where it all comes from is a blessing in my life. I cherish our different paths that lead us on to the same destination, it's like you caame from one way and I from another and we met at a fork, smiled and hugged and are now holding hands as we go along, giggling and crying at all the shared things! I so Love it! And you.

Grace Acres said...

what a priceless letter.

Lena said...

what a tribute- it look like you guys have a beautiful relationship :)
It's so true a girls relationship with her father shapes so much about who she is is and who she will become.

Anne Elizabeth said...

I loved this post. It is such a touching tribute to your daddy:)I feel the same way about my dad.

Amanda Hoyt said...

What a great letter to your daddy.
Thank you for letting us read it.
Hugs and prayers,
Amanda

Katarina said...

Hello, I wanted to let you know that I am passing on the {honest blog} award to you. I am grateful that you are real in your writing.

Elizabeth Byler Younts said...

what a tear-jerker...and what honesty. i love this letter and hope that you sent it. it is beautiful. of course, taylor's song made me have a larger lump in my throat than i anticipated.

love the photos too!

Mozi Esme said...

What a sweet, honest, and beautiful letter... I owe so much to my dad, too, and you inspire me to consider my own letter.

I love your wedding photos, by the way.

kt said...

Beautiful Beautiful Wendi this post was so full of sweetness. I definitely got a little teary eyed! I know that when your dad reads these beautiful words he will be so touched and blessed and I am sure he is already so proud of the beautiful and giving women you have become.

Thanks for your sweet comment, how you make me smile each and every time I get new comment from you :)

I hope you are enjoying your snow..(from your previous post) it's so very hot here today (how crazy!!)
xox

Rach@In His Hands said...

The relationship between dad and daughter is so precious...I had happy tears thinking of how amazing my dad is! I'm so thankful for him.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post! Dads are awesome.

Jackie said...

Amazing writing, amazing pictures, and what a beautiful heart you have, my friend. I can tell you have great respect for your daddy - I love this special relationship that God has put in place between a daddy and his little girl.

Happy Birthday to your dad!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful way to celebrate your dad!

Mel said...

Thank you for such a beautiful post..

Rach@In His Hands said...

Wendi!! You won my little giveaway! Come check it out. :-)

Jacy said...

this was so sweet and beautiful

creative gal said...

That is beautiful! It expresses how I feel about my dad. . . THANK YOU for sharing!

Jessica Jean said...

That really was so sweet and heart felt I could deff. tell through the love, what a nice letter!

Jules from "The Roost" said...

How sweet of you! Beautiful picturees!:)

Gwendolyn said...

That was so beautiful! I wish that I had that kind of relationship with my father!