Daddy's Little Girl

My dad and I have always been very close.

I always blame that on the fact that we have so much in common. We are both obsessed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, we both love to work out, we are both big budgeters, have a good sense of humor, and don't take crap from other people.

But lately, I've got to thinking.

Sometimes there are consequences to being such a daddy's girl.

When it comes to meeting that special guy in your life, it can almost feel like you are betraying your dad.

Don't get me wrong.

Finding my boyfriend, Zachary, has been the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

From the moment we met, I knew he was the one.

Some people say it's early, but when you know...you know.

As happy as I am, I'm sad. 

I know nothing between me and my dad will ever change and I am so grateful for that. 

But when I think of all of the letters he has written to me over the years, the band-aids he put on my scraped knees, teaching me to ride a bike, watching Steelers games with me, listening to my problems, never missing a soccer or softball game, leaving a card & chocolate in my Jeep in high school when I got broken up with, the roses on Valentines Days, getting up at 4 in the morning when I was sick, helping me move, and just being an amazing dad...it feels wrong of me to make him share.

One thing he has told my sisters and I ever since we were little is:

"The only thing i'll ever ask of your boyfriends is that he treats you the way that I do."

& he does. Zach does. He treats me like a real man should. 

It's life right? 

Growing up, everything changing.  

Ten years ago, I was 12. The thought of having a full time job, being worried about bills, marriage, student loans...never crossed my mind. 

Now, I'm 22. Yes I am still young and still have a lot of life in front of me. But all of the above mentioned is where I am in life. People say it's normal to worry, to have mini freak out sessions. I trust God with my life and I know he is leading me in the right direction. But is it ok to feel sad?

I think about that and I kind of laugh. Of course it's ok to be sad.

I feel bad for the kids out there who didn't have a father in their life. Because I can't even imagine what my life or my sisters lives would be like without mine. Some kids grow up and wander down the wrong path. My dad always kept me straight on mine. When there we plenty of times I didn't think he was being fair, I now know he only wanted what was best for me. Now look at me. 

I graduated from a Division I University with a 3.8 overall GPA. I am living on my own and a reporter & anchor for a television station. I know how to balance my checkbook and I treat others the way I want to be treated. I'm in shape, I eat good, and I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. 

Lessons Learned.

I'm all grown up. My dad did his job. He raised me and now it's my turn to make my own life decisions. Where I will go next in my career, who I will marry, etc. 

So is it wrong of me to love another man? Of course not. 

The man whose finger took one of my first grabs in the hospital on June 14th, will always have my heart no matter what.

I know my dad is proud. How do I know that? Because he is my best friend. I'm proud of him too. I'm proud to call him dad.

Thank you for who I am. 

Kelsey