Last summer, I nearly lost my dad.
I will never forget the gut-wrenching fear I felt at the prospect of not having him around.
But he is living proof that sometimes dads really are superheroes and he survived.
He is an ordinary man, with an ordinary life, but he is an extraordinary father.
Of course, we are totally in awe of those dads who run marathons in their children’s honour or who go viral on Facebook for a giant cause, but sometimes it is the most ordinary, simple things that make him so unique.
We are so busy with our own lives that it is only when we start to grow up that we stop and realise how much they did for us.
My driver
No matter where we are, or how far we need to go, dads tend to make themselves instantly available. Our unofficial taxi service when needs be. Confession alert! For a time in my life my dad drove me to work every single morning – how sweet is that (and how sad am I?)
My hero
Dads are the best at helping our hearts heal.
I had a bad break up when I was younger, and it left me pretty downtrodden (we’ve all been there, right?)
I’ll never forget the various reactions of my family when the infamous relationship ended. My mum, god bless her, hugged me through my tears, my younger brother, of course, told me he was going to ‘beat him up’
But it was my dad’s reaction that stood out. He was unusually silent, and genuinely so upset – hurt that someone could make his little girl feel so sad. This touched me the most and showed me I was not only loveable but deserved a whole lot of it.
They may not be the best for an emotional conversation, and they squirm when we mention 'cramps' but they are perfect when you want to talk about silly stuff, forget the ugly parts of the world, just shoot the breeze or simply sit in silence, which is something my dad is best at – and I love it.
My bank
Remember when we were kids, and asking our parents for money was the most stressful thing in the world?
I can actually still hear “I’m not an ATM” being muttered, as he reached for his wallet. However, now, no matter how old I get, my dad will always ask me the same question– ‘how are you for money, love?’ and I will always say I’m grand (even if I’m not)
Despite this, he'll press a note into my hand as I walk out the front door.
A never-ending extension of pocket money it may be but I think it is completely adorable that he still wants to 'sort me out'
My rock
We grow up, get married and have kids of our own, but we will always be daddy’s girls at heart.
No matter how far away we may move, or what comes our way – we can always count on our dads for support.
They are the rocks – no matter what. Not everybody has this so I count myself lucky.
I still go to my dad for advice about all my major life choices. And while I may not need a lift or a fiver, I will always need him.
He’s my ordinary and extraordinary rock – and I wouldn’t change him for the world.
