Six years ago today our lives were blessed with a healthy baby girl.  My wife and I had no clue what an adventure parenting would be and I know without a doubt that there are countless struggles, blessings and adventures waiting ahead.

Six and a half years ago I felt disappointed.  I had always pictured myself as the father of boys, but God had other plans.  Sitting in a little room with the sonogram tech the words “It’s a girl” rocked my world.  I really knew very little about girls and feared how I would relate.  Now I live in a house full of women.  Out of that fear of the unknown came the catalyst for “Dad is Learning” and a journey of learning about pony tails, painting fingernails, matching outfits, and learning about the uniqueness of a little girl’s heart.  God certainly knew what He was doing when He made this man a father of little girls.

Today’s post is an open letter to our daughter about who she is now and what we hope for her.  To celebrate the beginning of your sixth year of life, I would like to share six qualities that make you unique and lovely….

1. Your Love For God – I don’t think a six year old can fully grasp their relationship with God but perhaps you know Him better than I do.  In your young life you have taught me so much about who God is and His love and care for us.  (To be fair, at 35 I don’t fully grasp my relationship with God either.)  Your prayers and questions about the Bible constantly challenge me to grow as a father and as the spiritual leader of our family.

2. Your Love For Your Sister – I remember the moment you first laid eyes on your sister.  What a big day that was for our family!  From that moment forward you have always loved your sister, a bond that I know will grow as you get older.  Sure there are moments when you get angry because she stole your toy or messed up your tea party, but love abounds.  I always hope that you and your sister will grow in your love for each other and I love watching you care for our sweet baby.

3. Your Servant’s Heart – You have a special gift for helping others.  Sometimes your age and ability keep you from doing what you want, but more often you find a way to be helpful and courteous to family, friends and strangers.  I remember from a young age your desire to help around the house and to help others at the church.  How many children want a push vacuum for their 3rd birthday?  I hope you will always keep your heart of service and are a blessing to those around you.

4. Your Crazy Mind – Sometimes you say the craziest things and you make your mother and I laugh so hard that we cry.  Other times your crazy mind drives us crazy too.  Your insistence for order has been noticed by many, especially your teachers.  From coloring perfectly inside the lines to insisting that your googly eyes be the same size, you have an eye for perfection just like your mother.  Your imagination, curiosity, drive for perfection, and desire to explore are some of the aspects that make you uniquely you.  In a world of ‘normal people’, I hope you always keep your crazy mind.

5. Your Creativity – My parents told me about the day when I came home from school and I no longer wanted to draw.  My art teacher had told me I wasn’t good at drawing.  My daughter, you are an amazing artist and a creative person.  Don’t ever lose touch with your creative energy because it is amazingly hard to recapture.  Your countless drawings of animals, plants, people and places are amazing.  We would keep every one of your masterpieces if we could, but so many will live on as memories.  We will always try to help you embrace your creativity.

6. Your Love For Family and Friends – You are abundantly blessed to have a Mom, Dad, Grammy, Grandmother, Papa, D-Dad, Uncle Brent, Uncle Stew, Aunt C, Cousin Presley and Richard and Reb that are all family and live within minutes of our home.  We have countless other family members, friends and church family that are a vital part of your day to day life and part of the reason you are so special.  Your genuine love for all these special people has reminded me how important all our relationships are.  Their genuine love for you warms my heart and teaches me so much about the love and concern we should all have for each other.

My special girl these are just a few of the things that make you the unique and special person that you are today.  This grown man wept with joy on the day you were born and I am sure you will cause me to shed tears of joy and pain in the coming years.  Today I celebrate your special life and the blessing that you are to your mother and I.  We celebrate you today and thank God for His blessings in our life.

I’ll close with one of my favorite videos of our daughter.  She had just turned two when this video was shot.  Our friends from church, Ray and Barbara, had given us some free tickets to the circus.  Our daughter wanted to talk about what she had seen.  Our sweet curly haired girl.  My favorite parts are ‘motorcycle’, ‘pony’, and kisses and hugs.

[weaver_youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJrRyVpHZp8 sd=0 percent=100 ratio=.5625 center=1 rel=0 https=0 privacy=0 see_help_for_others]