She’s been making trip after trip from her closet to the hallway mirror all morning. Hair in a pony tail, then pinned up, then down, then parted to the side, clipped, twirled? No earrings, sparkly earrings, flower earrings, clip-ons or stickers? Cinderella slippers, flip-flops, tennis shoes, sandals? She can’t decide.
At the end of last week she held my hand, looked up and me and said, “I want to do something with just you.” How could I turn her down? I asked her out on a date. “How about when I get back from my trip, like on Monday, you and I go do something together?” “On a date???” she asked.
I’m suddenly aware of how important my promises are to her. I’m all of a sudden cognizant of what kind of dad and date I am and need to be…and how I may be setting the standard for men in her life for a long time to come. No pressure.
So, I’m buying a rose, opening her door, listening intently to her at dinner even if all she talks about is Hannah Montana, and telling her she’s beautiful no matter what earrings, shoes and dress she finally decides on.
I know that when my dad took me on a date for my 17th birthday it meant the world to me. He endured shopping with me in the mall on Dec. 24th and then took me out to eat. Sure, it wasn’t anything flashy to anyone else, but it’s one of those things I’ll never forget.
That is so precious, and she will remember it forever. I wish my dad and I had done that when I was growing up.
Grumpy mom here. My children have been asking to watch Hannah Montana and I keep asking, “Name one reason anyone should watch HM? Just one. Please, so we can stop having this same conversation.” Feel free to appeal on behalf my deprived children, because nothing has worked so far.
And about the date- Great stuff. Have you read The Locket and the Mask by Jana Spika to her?
My dad would stop by school, unannounced, and take me to lunch. Very big deal in Elementary school. That lasted through college and is one of my most cherished memories of time spent with my dad. My husband is a lot like my dad and I’m sure it’s because I wanted to be as happy in marriage as my parents were and be loved as much as my parents loved each other. Dates are awesome time spent together with your kids.
Beth
aww *gets all teary-eyed* I never had that sort of relationship with my father, but I’m sure it’s one I would have liked to have. Good luck on your date. Make her feel like the princess she is!
That’s really cool man.
The effect a father has on his daughter’s self-esteem is off the charts.
My younger sister was plagued with hard-core acne in her younger years but my dad did nothing but tell her how beautiful she was and take her on “dates” like you are doing.
Despite the onslaught of teasing she received throughout jr. high, her self-esteem remained darn-near ironclad.
She attributes that 100% to my dad.
I take my son on dates like this too. He’s getting a little older now and it’s almost to the point of “uncool” but I will keep on until he refuses to be seen with me in public. I want him to know how a lady treats a guy, and it’s a great opportunity for him to practice opening doors and stuff like that. It’s a sweet time for us. Good for you for doing that for your daughter. These are impressionable years, and we don’t get to do them over. No pressure, right?
Nicely done, Shaun. Keep it up. My daughter (she’s 10) and I have a standing Saturday morning breakfast date every week. It’s priceless; I wouldn’t trade that time for anything.