A Valentine to my daughter

[The Straight Story]

My little Hannah is 7, and this is to just let her know how much a difference she has made in my life. I hope someday when she is much older she reads it.

14 Years ago I split with my X wife, I was 29.

Since then:
1. X wife has died
2. Mom died. Then her best friend and mom #2.
3. Lost my 3 boys and did not see or hear from them for 8 years
4. Kids found me, one is in the army shipping off to Afghanistan in a few months, youngest does not want to talk to me anymore, and my middle son has yet to talk to me.
5. I was with a woman I loved and wanted her to marry me, but she was much younger and wanted to wait. After several problems we split up and I met Your mom. My X girlfriend found out she was pregnant and wanted to marry me. Your half sister Willow is a good girl, but I don't see her - not until she is old enough to understand (and she lives 2200 miles away). I didn't want her to have the issues my boys did.
6. Best friend Scott Died.
7. Best friend Brady died.
8. I had a career, a house, car. All gone now
9. You mom found out she had Parkinson's and a brain cyst.
10. Your mom found someone else. Guess I can't say I blame her.
11. I used to see you everyday and night, now mostly on weekends.
12. So much more...

It has been one hit after another, and I have never been so depressed as I am now.

But then there is the one great hope and love I have in life.

You.

When we snuggle up at night with the dogs, I am happy.
When we play games online and you tell people I am your dad, it makes me feel special.

When I am here alone and sad, the thought of knowing I can and hug you later makes me all better.

When I feel there is nothing left to hold on to, I remember when I was alone driving across country and I could not wait to see you - and I remember how I pushed myself to the limit to get to you faster, because your smile makes my life have a meaning it could not otherwise have.

You made a difference by just being yourself. You don't have to accomplish great things, buy me anything, or make me something.

You love me as I am.

On what feels like the worst valentines day in my life, I am online playing games with you and eating pizza with you - and I can think of no better way to spend this day then with you.

Someday I hope you know just how much you mean to me.

Your mom and I gave you life.

You have given it back a hundred fold.

Love Daddy.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Every girl in the world

should get a letter like this from her Daddy.

Thank you.

:toast:

[The Straight Story]

3. Thank you my friend, that meant a lot to me

Happy V day! :)

[poverlay]

2. Dads are special. I have always wished every dad in creation would realize what a special gift and

responsibility they have been given. Some are bad, or actual horrors. It makes the ones like you all the more special and appreciated. Happy Valentines day and congratulations on having such a wonderful daughter to love.

[The Straight Story]

4. Moms and Dads have been given an immense responsibility

They have a new life fully dependent on them, they can shape the life of someone from it's start and create a good happy life or a miserable one.

The rewards of love given to your child will come back to you in spades.

And if we all spent a little more time loving each other as much as we did children maybe this would be a better world for us all.

[The Straight Story]

5. Shameless Valentine's day self kick (nt)

[JeffR]

6. This is the sort of post that really gives meaning to this weird

Madison Avenue holiday. That there is this love in the world is worthy of celebrating every day of the year, including February 14th.

[mmonk]

7. Very nice.

Your daughter is fortunate to have you as a dad.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

8. Nice post!

I'm glad you have such a great daughter!