Daddy's Girl.

It's no secret. My real father and I have a sometimes hostile, other times non-existent relationship. Sometimes I wish it wasn't that way, but it is. It's not something that bothers me a lot, but sometimes things spark the thoughts.

One of my very close friends shared a glimpse of her day at the beach with her son, and her son's father, when she sent me a picture of the two gentlemen together. I'm close with them all and I'm always a witness to the love and dedication that he ( her son's father) has to my "nephew". It's amazing to me. Only because a constant, loving relationship with a father is one that I have not seen since my mom and my grandfather.  But in thinking about a fatherly relationship, my heart always reflects on the man who stepped into my life years ago. He loved me as his own. And still does. He rightfully holds that special spot in my heart that no man could ever fill, not even the man who is supposed to.

Almost a year ago, for his birthday, I wrote just a little something to describe my love for him.  Being inspired by the fatherly love that came through my picture texts today, I decided to share that passage here today. Thanks for listening.

I just hung up the phone from a conversation and immediately had tears streaming down my face crashing into my smile. Not sad tears, but bittersweet tears. The man I spoke to is a man of distinction, a man of honor, a man of love, and above all things, a man of God. That man is my DADDY… Harris Farlough.
Now when we disconnected the tears that fell from my eyes were tears of gratefulness and gratitude and they were accompanied with the words, “God thank You for him.”
Today is my DADDY’s birthday and as tired as I was, my day would not have been complete without me calling him. As I talked to him, my heart began to recognize the love and comfort I heard in his voice and the guidance and encouragement that always laced his words. Now, this man is my Stepfather (technically twice removed, as my mom has been married twice since) but I’ve always felt like one of his own. And I praise God for that.
See, as tough as I portray myself, I’m very fragile. My heart has a hairline fracture from the dysfunctional and sometimes heartbreaking relationship I have with my FATHER. My FATHER is a man who I feel only spoke of his love for me when he was in need to impress others or convince himself that he was doing the job he was supposed to do. A man who may have very well done the best he could have for the person that he is, but just fell short as we all do sometimes.
And as much as it may hurt to say it, I can’t honestly say that I believe my FATHER loves me… but I’d bet my life that my DADDY does.
My DADDY is a mastermind. The way that he balances sternness and gentleness, love and discipline, encouragement and admonishment, teaching and learning is amazing. I always feel at ease when we speak and I feel like a DAUGHTER when I interact with him. Something I sadly haven't felt with my FATHER in over two decades.
My personality, my spirit, my soul, needed a DADDY like him. A protector, a leader a comforter… loving and kind. And as always, the Great Lord provided. And while the Word demands that I “honor thy mother AND thy father (and trust me I do) I simply ADORE my DADDY. :-)
Happy Birthday Daddy!!! I love you more than my heart can stand. You mean so much to me. Having you around, throughout it all, and watching your love for me remain faithful and constant makes my world alright. Thank you.
~neka