for daddy with love...

today is the 3rd anniversary of the death of my dad. he was everything you could want in a daddy and I was the ultimate daddy's girl - a princess in every sense of the word.

this is one of the last pics i have of the two of us together. daddy tended to be camera shy so to get a shot of him, let alone one that included me with him, was rare. i treasure this one.

dad was the first man i

...danced with

...fell in love with

...kissed

...hugged

...said i love you to, and

who broke my heart.

i regret none of these things. they are what naturally occur between a father and daughter who have a very special bond. as much as we had those things, we were also able to talk about golf, money, cars, food, football and so much more. he tried to relate to me on my level making me feel like i was the only one who mattered in our very large family and he would do absolutely anything for me.

he was taken too soon and i miss him dearly every day. the pain of loss and grief has gotten easier as time has passed, but the moments of wanting to chat with him or having something trigger a memory continue to be raw.

i wish everyone could have known him for he was a good man; of strong character and moral fiber; courageous and brave during adverse times, steadfast when it counted.

i love you, dad - forevermore.....