Fathers, a girl’s first love. My biological father passed away many many years ago. My mother remarried and I was raised by her husband, my father, since I was 8. My father taught me the importance of having my finances in order, the difference between being independent and dependent and he drilled down the importance of being my own person.
I was blessed to have my father walk me down the aisle on my wedding day and even more blessed to share a father daughter dance with him. When I think back and ponder on all the different directions that my live could’ve taken, I am humbled into silence and personal reflection. How could I be so lucky to have God place such a role model in my life. I left home at 18 to attend college. It was very important for me to walk down the aisle half way on my own and then have both my mother and father meet me and walk me down the aisle the rest of the way. It was symbolic for the way that my life had evolved. When my husband shook my father’s hand, looked him in the eyes and said “I’ll take good care of her”, my dad nodded his head in confidence. He was assured that his baby girl would be just fine.
Images by Joshua Dwain Photography
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From Nicole Fierro:
My father is the absolute best man in the whole world! At 27 years old I still call him ‘Daddy” & he still calls me “Baby Doll”. He is an outstanding father, he has raised kids that are not biologically his and he has helped mold all of us into better human beings by his existence. On my wedding day 04/18/2015, with the instructions to be at my hotel and ready by 6pm, my dad was there at 3 pm completely dressed and waiting. He spent the entire afternoon making sure we needed nothing. He waited with patience and love, waiting on his baby doll to be ready. I know when he finally saw me dressed it struck a special cord on his heart. This was only the second time in my life I saw my dad cry. He walked up to me and gave me a kiss on my forehead as he did my entire life and told me I was the most beautiful thing he saw in his entire life. My daddy waited on me hand and foot the entire night. We had a special time just he and I riding to the church, and especially walking down the aisle. He talked to me the entire time telling me how complete his life was, because at this very moment his baby doll, who he took 3 hours to be sure the car seat was safe enough for me to get in when I left the hospital at birth was finally going to be in a safe place. Having my father’s approval and blessings was one of the most important things to me. Any man that can even compare to my dad is a win. My dad fell more in love with me on my wedding day, just as I fell more in love with my husband. To this very minute I am and will always be my Daddy’s little girl.
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From Gretal
Growing up he taught me important lessons like reading and writing but the one thing he always told me was above any skills I could ever learn is to believe in myself. My father showed me that I could do anything I set my mind to and that has brought me to accomplish things I never thought possible. I feel blessed to have been given a father figure like him. Ever since I was born he has been helping me become a better person, letting me know I should never settle for less. I am thankful to be able to call him Dad, I hope I have made him proud as his daughter he will always be the first man I ever loved and forever will.
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From Brittany Woods (@bmwoods31@gmail.com)
Growing up my sister and I were always daddy’s little girls. 26 years into my life I can proudly say that my knowledge of balancing my checkbook, changing tires, making a perfect egg frittata and “bear” hugs with my family all come from my dad. I always tease dad that he can ignore any one of my 4+ phone calls a day, but he always responds with a grin and tells me how he loves being one of my best friends. My wedding day was truly special having him by my side. From easing my nerves before walking down the aisle to making me crack up laughing during our first dance he deserves to be celebrated in every way possible.
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From Jasmine (@poshluxuryevents)
My Daddy is my rock! He is the best father any girl could have. I always told myself that whenever I get married, I want my husband to be like my daddy, and that’s exactly what I have! My daddy has always been a man of God and has always put his family first. He is currently going through dialyses but still manages to smile and stay strong for his family. This makes me admire him even more. He will never let us see him sweat! He will do whatever it takes to make me happy. I’m a daddy’s girl and most of the time I get my way, if he feels like spoiling me at the time. Lol My daddy is my everything and I’ll always be his little girl!
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From Natalie Sequeira (@nataliesequeira)
Growing up, my dad always told me to never forget where I came from. The day I got married was one of the most exciting, yet nerve wrecking days of my life as my dad was giving his first daughter away. I know that I will always be his little girl, and he will always be my hero. My dad is a man with a heart of gold, and I only wish that one day I’m half the person he is. And no, I won’t ever forget where I came from; as he was the first man I ever loved.
Images by Sonja Hilton
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From Danielle Manning (@yelley_)
A father is the first man that a girl will ever love. He will set the precedence for all men that follow. My dad did just that. Always believing in me. Always pushing me towards greatness. Growing up my father always made me feel like I could truly be anything that I wanted to be. He spoke life into my dreams no matter how ridiculous they may have sounded, all while providing guidance to be sure that I would not be led astray. On my wedding day, my daddy cried during our first look and that melted my heart. No matter what my new name may be or how old I am, I will forever be a daddy’s girl.
Images by Chris Charles of Creative Silence
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From Marliska DeClouette (@fab_pocahontas)
