With the tragic passing of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his beautiful daughter, the hashtag #GirlDad was introduced throughout social media interactions. In addition to being known for his skills on the basketball court, Kobe was known for being a girl dad to his four daughters.
All dads have important roles. However, those girl dads have a great responsibility with daughters. Research leads us to believe that girl dads are where daughters gain confidence and find their self-worth. Plus, there’s just something special about the bond between a daddy and a daughter when the girl dads strive to do it right.
My dad is well known by most for being an avid hunter, fisherman, and all-around outdoorsman. Somewhere in my preteen years, around ages 10-12, I overheard multiple people innocently comment things like, Terry (my dad) needs a boy to take hunting with him. Being an only child and a girl, I began to internalize those comments. I began to wonder if my dad had rather have had a boy than the girl he had been given. I’ll never forget the day when my thoughts were heavy and more than I could bear, so I took them to my daddy. I had to know. He was standing outside his gun closet putting away his hunting gear and unzipping some camo coveralls. Fighting back tears, I asked, “Daddy, do you wish you had a boy instead of a girl, so you could take him hunting with you?” Without missing a beat, my dad assured me that he “wouldn’t trade me for an ole’ stinkin’ boy for anything in the world.” He also said, “I don’t need a boy to have a hunting buddy. I can take my girl anytime.” Being jovial, he leaned in and continued, “Besides, a boy might pester the stew out of me to take him all the time.” Then he told me the story again about the day I was born – how when he saw me for the first time, he was the happiest he’d ever been – how he said, “She looks just like me!” I believe our Heavenly Father revels in His creation just like that.
I am so very blessed with my girl dad and my girl mom too. My dad knew I enjoyed grocery shopping and running around town with my mom on the weekends more than I enjoyed hunting. But when fishing season rolled around, I was ready to load up the boat with him. He never told me the story of my first boat ride, but mom has shared that one a couple times. I was very young, and daddy couldn’t wait to take me out on the river. When he cranked the boat’s motor, I cried and mama thought daddy was going to cry too. He wanted me to love being on the river as much as he did, but my young ears were startled by the new, loud sound of the engine cranking. That was the end of that first boat ride. We never left the ramp, because he couldn’t stand to make me cry. Thankfully, he didn’t give up that day. I don’t think anyone loves to be on the river as much as he does, but I’m a close second. Some of my best talks with my dad and favorite memories are in his fishing boat on the Ocmulgee River. He can out-fish me (or anyone for that matter), but I love being on the water. I could ride up and down the river and around the river bends for hours. Once Daddy taught me to drive the boat, he ended up riding up and down the river with me instead of fishing. I’m sure he saw prime fishing holes we were passing by.
I’m so thankful for a dad who acknowledged me any time I walked into a room, a dad who wanted to spend time with me, a dad who was proud to call me his daughter, a dad who made me feel loved and wanted, a dad who shared his interests and passions with me, but didn’t force them on me. I’m thankful he didn’t give up though! Because he didn’t give up, I grew to love being in the boat on the river and I grew to love The Lord – just like my daddy.
Over the years, I’ve become more and more appreciative of my dad; I realize what a treasure I have in my dad! Oh, how I wish every girl (and boy) could have a daddy like mine!
But, I’m thankful that everyone can have a Heavenly Father like mine – #OurDad.
- My earthly daddy loves to tell the story of the day I was born and boasting “she looks just like me!” In His Word in Genesis 1:27, we learn that we are made in the image of God. I like to imagine Our Dad gazing at His new creation in each of us and thinking “he or she looks just like me!”
- My earthly daddy adores me and sings my praises. I have never doubted my dad’s love. To him, I was the best little girl in the world! He built my self-worth from a young age. When we look to our Heavenly Father to find our identity and worth, we’ll see just how much He thinks of us, too. In James 1:17-18, we read that every good and perfect gift is from the unchanging Father above. He’s the creator of all, and out of everything He’s made, His children are the ‘first-fruits’ or favorites of His creation. We are God’s favorites! To Him, we are worth dying for.
- My earthly daddy acknowledges me every time I enter His presence and has always made time for me. It makes me think of the great extent that our Heavenly Father went to in order to spend time with us. We learn in John 3:16 (ESV) that “He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God made a way to spend eternity with us through the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, His Son. There’s no greater love than that!
I’m always excited to introduce my daddy when he’s around, and I love introducing others to God, my Heavenly Father, too. If you haven’t met Him before, I’d love to tell you more about Our Dad.
Enjoyed reading this Sarah Beth. Sounds like you have a loving Daddy!!