Dear Little One,
You might recall that I previously wrote to you on Mother’s Day, where I encouraged you to be well-behaved so that your mom could fully enjoy her special day. This letter, however, takes a different route. It’s about me instead of your mom, allowing me to express myself a bit more openly.
As it stands, until football season kicks off, Sundays don’t hold much significance for me. And, yes, this upcoming Sunday is Father’s Day. But don’t fret; I genuinely don’t need anything from you. No ties, no handcrafted cards, no golf lessons, and certainly no subscriptions to beer clubs. Honestly, just take it easy and be yourself.
It’s a bit strange, I know. As a child, I was baffled by my dad—your grandpa—who never asked for gifts on Father’s Day, Christmas, or even his birthday. All he seemed to want was for his kids to get along. For us kids, gifts were everything, so I couldn’t grasp his perspective back then. But now that I’m a father, I finally see where he was coming from.
First off, kids often give less-than-ideal gifts. Secondly, once you become a parent, you realize that the most valuable gifts aren’t wrapped in boxes. The best moments arise from the simple acts of love: the hug I receive at bedtime, the laughter we share during playtime, or even those rare moments when you grant me an extra half-hour of sleep every now and then. Those moments aren’t tied to any holiday; they’re just you being your wonderful self, and that’s all I truly need each day.
Just because this Sunday is labeled Father’s Day doesn’t make it any more significant than any other day. I don’t need a fancy brunch to acknowledge my efforts as a dad, especially not from you. Why should you feel obligated to reward me for simply being a decent father?
I’m confident in my abilities as a dad. I’m not claiming to be the best, but I know I’m not terrible because I genuinely love being your father. I don’t require your acknowledgment to continue doing what I love, even on the tough days, like during potty training.
Now, you might be wondering whether this means you can avoid showing your mom appreciation on Mother’s Day. That’s up to her. (Hint: probably not.) And while I don’t seek validation for my role as a father, these holidays serve a purpose. They’re opportunities for celebrating the special people in our lives. That’s why you receive so many gifts during Christmas—the joy is in seeing you happy. And that’s the only gift I need this weekend.
Well, at least that’s the only gift I need from you. Father’s Day is really more of a task for your mom.
With Love,
Your Dad
P.S. I wouldn’t mind one of those beer-of-the-month subscriptions or tickets to see Mad Max: Fury Road. Just let your mom know.
In summary, while Father’s Day is often seen as a time to celebrate dads, the true value lies in the everyday moments of love and connection shared between a parent and child. The holiday doesn’t require extravagant gestures; rather, the simplicity of being together is what matters most.