A girl and her dad have a curious relationship -- especially when that girl grows out of her "Lion King" pajamas, past college and into the adult world.
Writing a Father's Day card this year, I hit the wall. It's not because I didn't have anything to say: I've been filling goofy squirrel cards with, "You're a great dad" and, "Thanks for working so hard" for years. Writing the perfect card is easy.
Writing what I want to say is not.
He knows I love him, and I know he loves me, and we talk on the phone and spend time together. But the deep mushy-gushy stuff -- and the existential stuff, and the sad, painful stuff -- is never part of our conversation. We're grown girls now, and somewhere along the road, our openness with our dads can get accidentally barred by the same guard we put up for other men.
As much as I tell myself my dad will read past my generic phrases to realize how I feel about him, I know there's a good chance it has never -- and will never -- happen.
Dad, this Father's Day I want you to know everything. I want you to know that:
- I can't stand it when guys call me "sweetheart," but I watch our old home videos just to hear you call me that name.