From Dad
“You put a note in my bag when you were small and I read it at work. Two of the words were spelled wrong and I have never had a better day.”
“I have cheered from a lot of bleachers, auditoriums and front rows. The seats have changed over the years, but the fan in them has not.”
“You have heard every one of my jokes at least a hundred times. And you still laugh, or at least you roll your eyes in a loving way.”
“They handed you to me and I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. I have had all these years to work that out and I am still mostly guessing.”
“You are starting a home of your own with the person you love. I hope you still call me about big decisions, good news and nothing in particular.”
“You may be a bride today, but you will always be my little one. I will blink and see you at five, twirling in your favorite dress.”
“There is still a drawing of yours on the fridge, and I am not taking it down. It is a horse, or maybe a dog. Either way, it is my favorite piece of art.”
“You are another year older, and somehow you are still the one teaching me. You have taught me patience, humor and how to say sorry when I am wrong.”
“You have given me countless reasons to be proud, but the proudest moment is telling others you're my daughter. Happy birthday! Always keep me in your heart, for you are always in mine. I love you forever and always.”
“On the days when everything feels heavy, I hope you remember this card. You are stronger than the hard days, and you never have to face them alone.”
“You may have your own place now, but Sunday dinner is still at ours. Your seat at the table is not going anywhere, and neither is your mug.”
“Take the old couch, the spare mugs and anything else you want from the garage. It all feels better knowing it is helping you make a home of your own.”
“I taught you to drive in an empty parking lot and I shouted twice. You have driven a very long way since then without asking me anything.”
“Today you become someone's wife, and that is a beautiful thing. But you will always be my daughter, and that part never changes.”
“I have watched you be a mother and I am not surprised. I am something else that I do not have a word for and have stopped looking for.”
“I have seen a lot of your big days, from first steps to graduation. This one might be the best yet, because you have never looked this happy.”
“People ask what I want for Christmas, and I never have a good answer. The truth is that I got the best gift of my life the day you were born.”
“Every year brings some good news and some not so good news. But the day you were born is still the best news this family has ever had.”
“When I look back on my life, every good chapter has you in it. You are the best part of my story, and I am so glad you were born.”
“When things get scary for your patients, you are the calm in the room. I have always known you had that steady heart. Now a lot more people get to see it too.”
“Every year you tell me the lights are crooked, and every year you are right. I have never fixed them, because I love hearing you say it.”
“If I could give you one thing, it would be to see yourself through my eyes. Only then would you realize how truly special you are to me. Believe in yourself as much as I believe in you, sweetheart.”
“You told me about a student who finally got it, and you were glowing for days. That glow is why you teach, and it is why I am so proud of you.”
“The day you arrived, I held you and promised to do my very best. I have not always gotten it right, but I have loved you every single day.”