The Best Dad Gets Promoted to “Granpahpah”
Father’s Day is a special day that I’ve always looked forward to celebrating. I was daddy’s girl (up until December 07, 2021 when my daughter was born lol!), and all I wanted to do was makethe day special for my dad. I wanted to cook him dinner, surprise him with his favorite cologne,bake him a cake, decorate the house, I always wanted to make him feel extra loved because he simply deserved it. Last Father’s Day was bittersweet. I picked up Luna from daycare the Friday before Father’s Day and she proudly handed me a craft she had made: it was popsicle sticks glued together to form a mini wooden pallet, tied with a green string. A picture of was glued at the center with “Happy Father’s Day Daddy..I love you” written underneath. She was just one years old at the time, so I knew she was still too small to know what it was all about. My confused reaction caught the attention of her daycare teacher and she quickly apologized, she genuinely had no idea, but it was okay, I wasn’t upset at her or anyone, it was just unexpected. We walk out to the car, I buckle Luna in her car seat, I got in the drivers seat and put my sunglasses on. I’m trying to hurry, as I feel my eyes water up, and search Luna’s favorite song “Good Mood” by Adam Levine to put on and keep her distracted. I lean my head back and my eyes started bursting into tears. Since her dad left, I had dreaded this day, it happened so quick and unexpectedly. My heart hurt because my little girl is never going to experience a father/daughter bond like I did growing up. I started to think about the future, the questions she’s going to ask about her dad, the father/daughter dances she will be missing out on. I just don’t ever want to see her hurt. My dad laid out the foundation for me to build into the independent woman that I am today. He was tough and strict all while being loving and supportive. He taught me discipline, determination, and how to be confident in myself. He was my coach in sports and he is my coach in life. He is not only my father but he is also my best friend. The morals and values that he has instilled in me, will allow me to build an even stronger foundation for Luna. She won’t have the same experience as how I did, she will have it even better. Thank you to my dad, for stepping in as the father figure in Luna’s life, for loving her unconditionally and always making sure she has everything she needs and more. Luna lights up every time she see’s her “grandpahpah”, and when I see that smile light up, my heart is full and my mind is at ease. My dad has never failed me, and I know he will never fail her either. God is so Good!
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!
Diandra Garcia
Head of Quality, Puro Tepache
San Antonio, TX