Daddies and Daughters

I know Mother's Day is this weekend, but I have been thinking a lot about fathers the last couple of days, especially father/daughter relationships. First, I reread the talk "Love Her Mother" by Elaine S. Dalton. I love that talk, and I love how great of a father Matt is to Elise. I'm sure he's going to be just as terrific of a dad to the baby girl who is joining our family in September.

Also, today is my own dad's birthday. If he were still alive, he would be 63 today. He died in August 2004, almost eight years ago. I miss him so much. He was such a great man and an amazing father to his six daughters and one son.

me, my sister Lauren, and our dad

Having our own little girl makes me appreciate my husband even more for all that he does, especially the role he plays as a father.

Elise, eight days old, in her daddy's arms

He already loved her so much.

three months old

(This picture makes me smile.)

six months old

Elise's first time at the beach, ten months old

reading with Daddy, almost one year old

one year old

(one of my favorite pictures ever)

at the fall festival, thirteen months old

(Matt was winking because of the sun, but I still like this one.)

Elise's first time at the zoo, fourteen months old

Christmastime at Grandma and Grandpa's, fifteen months old

piano duet, same visit to Grandma and Grandpa's

Elise's first time bowling, eighteen months old

picnic and flying kites at the park, St. Patrick's Day,

eighteen months old

same day

spontaneous kiss from Elise, because she loves her daddy so much

a visit to the duck pond, same day

Easter, nineteen months old

Later, Daddy made her a crown of Easter eggs.

Children's Museum of Phoenix, nineteen months old

Matt's birthday, still nineteen months

The relationship between a girl and her father is such a precious, beautiful thing. I am so blessed to have had a father who loved me so much and set such a good example for me. I am so blessed to have a husband who loves me and who loves and cherishes our little girl. And I am eternally blessed to have a Father in Heaven who loves me unconditionally and who I can turn to whenever I need Him.