This Sunday will be my second father’s day. While for most fathers, this day will be about ties, socks and perhaps even a hammer, for me this father’s day is all about something else. Almost 2 years ago, my little daughter was born to me and my wonderful wife on a cold wintery day. After all the anticipation, we finally got to meet the little one that my wife nurtured within her for almost 9 months. And judging from my daughter’s reaction upon her big arrival, wow was she ever glad to meet us too. Loud enough to hear in the hallway, our daughter let the world know she had arrived. Little did we know that this liveliness would be her hallmark.

We should have clued in from the kicking during my wife’s pregnancy that she would be the life of the party. We should have clued in from the whaling from her baths that she would be one to stand her ground…especially if the water was too cold. We should have known from the way she snuggled up to us from birth that she’d be a charmer. But we definitely know now. I definitely know now.

My girl definitely can drive me up a wall when she’s in a bad mood. But those times are rare and far between now. She’s a happy kid and based on her dancing, is destined for the stage - that or ultimate fighting, whichever. She knows how to cheer me up after a long day. She knows how to make me laugh without trying. She knows how to touch my heart with a single kiss. What she doesn’t know is how much she means to me.

So while this day technically is about thanking dads for being dads, for me, father’s day is about my daughter. The girl that makes me proud. The girl who calls me, “Da-dai”. I’d like to thank her for making it such a joy to be a dad. Those that are close to me know I’m not an easy guy to please, so these words carry extra weight today.

Of course, all bets are off when she starts asking to borrow the car. Happy father’s day to all the dads out there.