Day 44: February 13, 2008- A Father's Gift

Day 44: February 13, 2008- A Father's Gift

Image by ashley.adcox
I'm blessed enough to have a father, not a dad. Sure, we all have our flaws, but he truly is the leader of the house. He's quiet, but thoughtful. We certainly had our years (...upon years) of fights, but maybe part of the reason we fought was that we're so similar?

A few months ago I realized just what an impact he's had on my life, which is something that's quite often incredibly easy to overlook. I realized that I don't feel the need to date because of him. I've never in my life felt a lack of love. I couldn't possibly know what it feels like not to be loved unconditionally by my parents. That's a totally foreign concept to me. But I didn't realize this for far too long.

I always kind of rolled my eyes at comments about how a girl's relationships often stem from her relationship with her father. If he was distant and cold, she's probably desperate to find love in the world...etc etc. I spent a few years angry with my father for absolutely no reason at all- I still don't know why I was so angry with him (though I'm sure it probably was becuase we're so alike!), but he loved me through all that time.

My father showed me love in such a way that I would never have to hear the words "I love you" to believe it. And I think it's because of that that I'm comfortable enough with myself, and where I am, that I never felt the need to date. My parents have given me a blueprint of a nearly ideal marriage. Are there things I would do differently? Of course...every kid thinks that...but I know that I've been incredibly blessed to grow up with them as my role models...even though they're both horrible dancers and painfully annoying at times :-p

So yes. All that to say I got flowers today from someone who really means it- and isn't just going along with a silly tradition or trying to gain brownie points. And he's even a day early!

Flamenco dancer ¬ 0355

Image by Lieven SOETE
Molenbeek [Brussels], 13-04-2008 @ Maison des Cultures / Huis van Culturen | Dimanche Arabo-Andalou Zondag | Groupe: Camino Flamenco
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Most Interesting Pictures of Lieven SOETE on Flickr via Flickriver

Colquhoun-5655

Image by nathancolquhoun

Flamenco dancer ¬ 0367

Image by Lieven SOETE
Molenbeek [Brussels], 13-04-2008 @ Maison des Cultures / Huis van Culturen | Dimanche Arabo-Andalou Zondag | Groupe: Camino Flamenco
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Most Interesting Pictures of Lieven SOETE on Flickr via Flickriver

Flower girl.

Image by .Andi.
At my grandmother's father's Floral shoppe.

This was a whole picture, but I just chose people in the picture to take a shot of.