To my dearest daughter,
Today I have discovered something about myself. I am going to be a mess when you grow older and move away. I don’t even want to think about your wedding day. For even just thinking about it, brings about a mix of emotions. I can tell that come the actual day, I will be unable to hold back the tears.
How is it that I know this? While today, a program called Facebook – something that may not be around by the time you get married – showed me that I had memories from postings of years past. One of those memories involved a video of you on Easter morning four years ago. You came out of your room to find that the bunny had left you chocolate and toys. While you took a moment to stop and look at what was in the basket, an open bag of jelly beans, something we both really like, sat on the dining room table. You immediately ran to them and held them up. The grand prize. Unfortunately, we forgot to close the bag and out they poured.
The video took me back. I then continued to allow the videos to randomly play. I watched as time jumped to your first year to this year and then everything in between. Each memory instantly coming back into my mind to the point that I didn’t need to even watch, I was transported back to those days. I especially loved the video with you and the puppet. Your laugh was beautiful.
One of the videos had you walking from the hall into the living room. I had to pause the film as I realized that you did the exact same motion last night. You walked into the living room wearing a veil on your head. The veil is for your upcoming First Communion. While I watched you walk, you stepped the same way a bride would do walking down the aisle. That memory came flooding back into my head as I sat here watching the past videos. I started thinking about how I would be on that day. Would I find myself sitting in a room watching all of these home movies taking me from birth to that day? Will I be able to handle it?
I sat and wondered what type of woman will you become. Would you be happy? Will you be on a path in life that you want to be on? I don’t know the answers to these questions. I can only wonder, and I can make you some promises before we get there. I only hope that by the time you read this as an adult, I have lived up to these vows.
I promise that I will always be your dad. I will be there, next to you, as you grow and mature. However you should know that being a dad means that I am not your best friend. I will listen to you, I will support you, and I will love you. I will also make you work, I will set it up so that you learn right from wrong, and I will give you consequences when you do wrong.
I will support you in whatever your heart desires. Even today there are too many people who think that girls cannot be equal to men. Some in society feel that women should only work in certain jobs or stay at home. This is not true. You CAN do anything that you want to do. If you choose to shoot for the moon, I will help you all the way to the launch pad. If you really want to open that bakery of which you speak so often, I will carry all the supplies. If you choose to be at home with children, I will be right there as well. I will not break down barriers, I will not fight your battles, but I will stand by your side fighting along with you. I will wipe your tears and hold you up when the fight feels to drag on too long. I will be your wingman.
I will protect you when I can. A father bear can be just as mean and nasty as a mother bear. As you grow, I will protect you to the death. I will do my best. But, my little one, you need to know that I will not be able to protect you from everything for there are many times when I will not be able to be there. So I will teach you to protect yourself. I will work hard to make sure that you will be able to stop others from hurting you both mentally and physically.
I will love you. As with most parents, I will always see you as my little, baby girl. My love for you 
will only be second to what I have for your mother. I want you to know this because as you grow, you will have relationships – how many I know not, but you will have them. I hope and pray that you will learn by the love I give to your mother that you should expect nothing less for yourself. If and when you start dating, I will pray that you find the person that will give you all of the love you deserve. I want you to know that you never have to accept anything less than pure love. Your mother and I were fortunate to find each other, but it took a lot of time. Do not rush into “love”. I know I started this letter talking about a wedding. That is just something I think about. That is a decision that will be yours to make.
Keep your laughter and imagination. The world is full of sad things and people. You have a beautiful laugh and an amazing imagination. I feel funny writing this bit since you so often tell me that I look sad. Know that on the inside, I am happier than words can ever express. Having you and your mother in my life has taken me too heights never known. Keep the joy and happiness that you have. Continue to dance whether music is playing or not. Always see the world and its beauty as you do today. You have a way of seeing the good in everyone – don’t lose that. People really do have good in them. Sometimes they just need help finding it.
Finally, please know that I will do everything within my power to still be with you for years to come. Unfortunately, we are all human and someday I will leave you. I hope to give you everything you need to live, be happy, and be strong. You already have that, I will just help you find it.
So to my beautiful daughter. When you read this, know that you have always been loved. Know that I am proud of you and who you have become. Know that from now until eternity, I am your dad.
Love,
Daddy