The title is fairly self explanatory, but the tenderness of an evening like that cannot be captured in words.
A favorite tradition of my sister and I growing up, was to be escorted to the Father Daughter Ball with our Dad. Getting dolled up and eating out was fortunately part of the deal. Wearing matching dresses with my sister was a must.
At the Ball, ages always varied: new fathers with baby girls propped up on their shoulders, old fathers with married daughters, middle age fathers with wacky teenage daughters, and everything in between.
When I was a young girl, one of the best parts of the dance was being swooped up in my Dad's arms and twirled on the dance floor.
As a teenager it was the perfect break from crazy high school days and a good time to catch up with my Dad.
A couple years ago it was still as fun as could be, but also more emotional; realizing that time was slipping away.
The last year I was able to attend the Ball with my Dad, my sister was away at her first year of college. I felt privileged to spend the whole evening with my Dad. I knew it would be one of the last Balls we would attend in a while.
Now I'm away at college and loving life and learning; However, there is a kind of sadness this time of year. Yesterday I saw a plethora of posts on facebook of friends at home who were able to attend the Father Daughter Ball, and I yearned to be there with my Dad too.
Those days were precious to me and I'll never forget them. So many memories were made and I'm grateful everyday for a wise, kind, loving father who took the time to take his girls to the Ball.
Without fail, every year the song, "Butterfly Kisses" played towards the end of the Ball. This was our special song. My sister and I both slow danced with our Dad whenever it came on.
Reading through the lyrics, I was able to switch them up a bit... It's a little more applicable to where I am in life at the moment.I hope it brings good memories of you and your father!
"I moved away today
I signed that contract and you gave me away
we stand in my apartment, staring at the floor
I asked you what you're thinking and you said,'I'm not sure'
Do you feel like you're losing your baby girl?
Then I leaned over...
and gave you butterfly kisses with mama there
putting little white flowers all up in my hair
'Walk with me to campus daddy, it's not that far'
'Do I look college ready daddy? Please don't cry'
We'll see each other soon, this is not goodbye
I'll call you in the morning and send you butterfly kisses, at night"
Now, go tell your Dad you love him.
Liz
