Put Your Love In Writing (a last minute Christmas gift that’s guaranteed to be your daughter’s favorite!)

Merry Christmas Dad! I know we’re all pressed for time as we get closer to December 25th, so I’m meeting you where you’re at with a last minute Christmas gift that’s guaranteed to be your daughter’s favorite!

If you want to give your daughter a Christmas gift this year that: 

• Won’t cost any money

• Won’t require driving to the mall (you’re welcome!)

• Will only take 30 to 45 minutes of your time

• Is guaranteed to be one of her all-time favorite gifts…then get your pen ready!

One of the greatest presents you can give your daughter is to affirm her through writing. 

I speak from personal experience by sharing that I’ve saved all the letters and cards my dad has ever made me. And I’ve heard innumerable stories from other daughters who also have saved letters and cards from their dads, which are sacred treasures, especially for those whose dads are no longer here to tell them in person that they are loved.

And in a world where written communication is increasingly digital (texts, emails, tweets), a letter scripted in your own handwriting is sure to stand out as unique.

Dad, put your words of affirmation, acceptances, belief, encouragement, promise, and praise into writing because your daughter will treasure what you say to her for a lifetime. 

The time you spend now putting your thoughts, feelings, prayers, wishes, hopes, and dreams into written form will pay dividends long after you’re gone as she reads and rereads your words.

Whether you’re a dad who has already begun this practice or you are a tentative newbie, I want to share a few ideas to support your pen-to-paper challenge. 

Here are a few dad-to-daughter letter-writing ideas to add to your repertoire:

• What is one of the first things you remember about her from when she was born and you looked at her for the first time?

• What beauty did you see in her then and what beautiful features do you see in her now? (Girls love hearing about their eyes, smile, and the unique features that you see as beautiful)

• Write about a favorite childhood memory you have of her

• What strengths do you believe she has, both in terms of skill and in her person (her character, personality, etc.)?

• Write about a favorite childhood memory you have of her

• Tell her specific reasons you’re proud of her

• Write about what obstacles you have seen her overcome—emphasize such qualities as courage, resilience, strength, commitment, endurance, and power

• Write about dreams you have for her future, whether in the form of your wishes for her or things you pray about for her—do this without preaching or lecturing, only encourage

• Tell her what it means to you to spend time with her

• Communicate why you love being her dad in this season of her life (add current things about her age right now that you’re aware of and highlight them as positive)

• Let her know that you will always be there for her, telling her what it means to you to be her dad

Dad, as you give your daughter the gift of a letter from you this Christmas, I guarantee it will be one of her favorite gifts that will last a lifetime.

Your Pen-to-Paper Valentine's Day Challenge (This will be your daughter’s favorite Valentine’s Day gift EVER!)

One of the greatest gifts you can give your daughter is to affirm her through writing. And in a world where handwritten communication is less common and most often casual (texts, emails, social media, tweets), a letter in your own handwriting stands out. That’s why I’m challenging you to put your pen to paper this year to give your daughter a Valentine’s Day gift she’ll love.

I’ll never forget when dad Dennis surprisingly noticed that his thirteen-year-old daughter Olivia not only kept the letter he wrote her, but placed it on top of her desk for her friends to see. He completely expected her to be embarrassed by his card and hide it, especially from her peers. So, as you can imagine, his heart melted when he saw the positive impact his written words had made.

The power of putting your thoughts, feelings, dreams, truth, and love for your daughter into written form is that she can read and reread it. She will treasure the things you write to her now and for years to come.

How do I know this? Because I, and many other girls, have saved our dad’s notes.

I’ll tell you a story to bring this to light. My dad started a tradition a number of years ago where he creates a one-of-a-kind birthday card and includes pictures from that year to highlight things he’s noticed and remembered. I’ve saved every one!

And even if you’re not artistic or creative, just the fact that you’ve noticed things about your daughter and then bring to light the unique things about her, things you find adorable, enjoyable, and memorable, it provides a pathway to her heart that will be a treasure to her forever.

Whether you’re a dad who has already begun this practice or a tentative newbie, I’d love to give you a few ideas to support your pen-to-paper Valentines challenge.

Here are a few dad-to-daughter letter-writing ideas to add to your repertoire:

• What was one of the first things you remember about her when she was born and you looked at her for the first time?

• What beauty did you see in her then and what beautiful features do you see in her now? (Girls love hearing about their eyes, smile, and the unique features that you see as beautiful)

• Write about a favorite childhood memory you have of her

• What strengths do you believe she has, both in terms of skill and in her person (her character, personality)

• Write about a favorite childhood memory you have of her

• Tell her specific reasons you’re proud of her

• Write about what obstacles you have seen her overcome—emphasize such qualities as courage, resilience, strength, commitment, endurance, power

• Write about dreams you have for her future, whether in the form of your wishes for her or things you pray about for her—do this without preaching or lecturing, only encourage

• Tell her what it means to you to spend time with her

• Communicate why you love being her dad in this season of her life (add current things about her age right now that you’re aware of and highlight them as positive)

• Let her know that you will always be there for her, telling her what it means to you to be her dad

If writing is not your thing, still do it (I know…I’m being a tough teacher right now). I promise that your daughter will thrive in direct proportion to the words you speak (verbal and written) into her life.

And the more you hone your writing skills, the easier it will become.

On your mark, get set, write!

Dad, It’s Time to Start a New Christmas Tradition with Your Daughter 🎅🏼🎄🎁

It was early December, 1967, in San Raphael, California. I was seven years old and my sister was five. The two of us, along with our dad, piled into our turquoise station wagon as we drove two hours away to cut down our family Christmas tree. Mom always stayed home to “get our presents organized for Christmas,” which I learned years later was a creative way to give Mom a break!

To pass the time on our road trip, Dad taught us Christmas songs that we all sang at the top of our lungs. Among them were “Jingle Bells” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” (Yes, the musical options were very limited back then!)

When we finally arrived at the Christmas tree farm, we took our time walking around until Dad chopped down the perfect tree we’d all chosen. Then came the best part: We each got a cup of hot chocolate from the on-site trailer and we always drank every last drop until we warmed up our insides.

My sister and I would sleep most of the way home, which seemed like the perfect ending to the perfect day. Simple as it was, that tradition still holds a special place in my heart.

And though my dad experienced almost no Christmas traditions as a kid, somehow he stepped up and created a Christmas tradition for two little girls who had no idea at the time that their dad hadn’t experienced the same.

That’s all a tradition needs to be: Spending time with those you love while doing the same thing year after year.

And when it’s a dad investing in his daughter with a tradition they create together, it strengthens the core of her identity

As we prepare for Christmas next week, if you want to give your daughter the BEST Christmas present EVER, one she’ll always treasure and never forget, here’s a few ideas to get you started.

Remember there’s no need to spend a lot of money. This is about time spent with you. It’s not about overextending your finances. Of course you’ll want to invest something into your dad-daughter date…so plan ahead. Yet keep in mind that extravagance is less important than intentionality, time, and heart pursuit.

Here are 16 creative dad-daughter Christmas tradition ideas so you can get started today:

1.  Eat a meal at a restaurant that’s out of the ordinary. It will become “your place,” and years later, your daughter will always tie that place to you.

2. Write a letter to your daughter and read it to her on your date. Affirm her positive qualities and highlight her growth this past year. Once you start this tradition, she will look forward to it as a way to close out every year with positivity.

3. Go for a hike and take dad-daughter selfies along the way. You can even print one favorite pictures and frame it for her to open on Christmas morning.

4. Perfume Day—You know this one well by now since I’ve talked about it a lot. This is a tradition my dad started with me 25+ years ago. You’ll go  together to a store and let her choose any perfume she wants. Then every time she wears that scent throughout the year, she’ll remember your love for her.

5. Find a Place to Volunteer—Some dads and daughters love creating an experience together to serve others rather than purchasing something. This could be giving time at a homeless shelter, doing clean-up at the beach or a park, or serving at your church. Then celebrate afterwards with a fun food treat where you both debrief the experience.

6. Cook or bake something together—Spend time in your kitchen creating a tasty treat. Let your daughter lead the way as you laugh and learn from her while then enjoying the yummy fruit of your labors! You can eat it yourselves or give some to neighbors, friends, and family.

7. Create an art project—Find a paint-your-own-pottery store where you each paint something together OR walk around a craft store and find an art project to do together at home. You can also paint with acrylics on canvas or on ceramics or wood (where there’s already a shape to it) or string beads for a bracelet or necklace.

8. Discover a new book—If your daughter loves reading, this will fill her love tank to enjoy the experience of choosing a new book or two. If you have a bookstore in your area, walk the aisles as she chooses a new book, and bonds with you in her happy place.

9. Buy a piece of jewelry—If your daughter enjoys jewels and sparkles, buy her a piece of jewelry that she’ll wear and be reminded of you. Again, this doesn’t have to break the bank…so give her an amount to work with. Then remind her that she’s a jewel, a one-of-a-kind treasure.

10. Buy a fun game—Together, choose a board or video game that you’ll play together after bringing it home. You can bring it out every Christmas to enjoy time and again.

11. Go to a movie—Usually there’s at least one new Christmas movie each year, so you could make it your tradition to go to the theater. Then for an extra special experience, indulge in popcorn and candy!

12. Play with animals—If your daughter is an animal lover, find a fresh way to fan her love into flame by going to a pet store and playing with different animals or to a local shelter for rescue animals. For younger girls, she can draw pictures of animals from your adventure. Then put her masterpiece in a prominent place in your home.

13. Attend a Christmas concert—There are both free and paid concerts, ranging from public choirs to traveling groups. They’re always extra memorable if you dress up and go out for dessert afterwards. Be sure and open the door for her so you show her what a real gentleman does!

14. Let her choose any gift—If your daughter loves Lego’s, buy a Lego set and put it together with her. If she is enjoys playing with a certain doll, let her choose one to add to her collection. Be creative and get something she may not expect that has value to her (even if it doesn’t rank high on your list!)

15. Read the Christmas story—In this day and age it can be easy to forget the real meaning of Christmas. So why not lead the way in reading the Christmas story from Matthew 1 and Luke 2 in different translations. And it’s extra fun to act out the whole story as a family or use props to represent each character. Invite your daughter into the process of setting things up so your family can gather and participate. If you video record the performance, you’ll love playing it back in later years as you walk together down memory lane.

16. Go caroling—Dress up with hats and scarves; then sing carols on the porches of neighbors and/or friends. Or you can specifically focus on families who have experienced loss this year…or make arrangements with a local care facility to brighten the days of the elderly. If your daughter plays an instrument, bring it with you so others can enjoy her talents.

There you have it, Dad…a few ideas to get the ball rolling as you start a new dad-daughter Christmas tradition this year. And I’d love to hear from you so I can add more items to my list of ideas.

Bottom line: Whatever your daughter enjoys, do it with her as you initiate annual rhythms. Enter into the joy of celebrating what she loves this Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you all…from my heart to yours!

5 SPOOK-Proof Strategies for Solving the Mystery of Your Daughter

With Halloween being just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to talk today about how you as dads can solve the MYSTERY of your daughter in ways that are less SPOOKY or SCARY.

I often hear fathers tell me their daughters are complicated and complex, sometimes even downright confusing. Yet, believe it or not, I’ve discovered that we girls are not as hard to understand as we may appear. If you, Dad, are open incorporating these insights into your daily rhythms, you’ll see how quickly your daughter will respond to you more positively. Let me say it another way:

The more you understand your daughter’s wiring and core needs, the less of a MYSTERY she’ll be to you.

These five spook-proof strategies for decoding your daughter come from one of my favorite stories in the Bible.

Quick backstory: Mary and Martha are sisters who were close personal friends of Jesus. He was like family to them and loved their brother too. Jesus knew them and they knew him. I love the way Jesus related specifically to Martha, the more dramatic of the two women, during a time when she was overly reactive, totally stressed, and basically freaking out.

If you can relate to experiencing any of these realities with the women in your home or life, you’ll appreciate learning what Jesus did (with his male energy) to enter the fray with his frazzled female friend. I guarantee if you follow His lead, you and your daughter will benefit.

1. He lets her vent to Him while He listens to all of it.

Even when Martha dramatically blurts out that Jesus “doesn’t care” (false assumptions always take place during meltdowns), she continues by crying about having to do everything “by myself.” And if that wasn’t enough, she then barks at Jesus and demands that he tell her sister to help her. Surprisingly, he doesn’t lecture, but listens and absorbs her intensity by being her sounding board.

2. He says her name twice….gently and lovingly.

There’s something calming when any of us hear our name. And for us girls, it’s grounding for us to be spoken to by name. If you speak your daughter’s name with love in your tone and in a gentle way, she will come towards you----maybe not right away, but it is a powerful, healing strategy that works.

3. He sits with her in her emotional reality.

Notice that he doesn’t try and talk her out of what she’s feeling or try to get her to think rationally. No lecture. No criticism. Jesus knows that she couldn’t hear it anyway while being so worked up. So he simply stays with her, looks at her, validates her, and puts words to what she’s feeling, calling it “worry” and “upset.” He tenderly names her emotions. No judgment.

4. He highlights all that is on her life plate.

As girls we are wired to multi-task. That’s why we can talk on the phone, paint our nails, watch a show, and do homework…all at the same time! Yet all of a sudden we reach our max and then comes the explosion. Again, this is where we need gentle grace not power positions. Jesus lets Martha know that he knew she indeed did have “many things” going on, which led to her meltdown. If you validate all that is pressing in on your daughter, your words will go far to make her feel heard and understood (which is empathy---compassionately looking at her life through her eyes).

5. He directs her to focus on one thing.

Jesus tells her that “only one thing is needed.” The implication is that it’s about focusing on Him as the one thing rather than all the needs around her. I’ll take this theme one step further and add that when we girls get overwhelmed with the “too much to do and not enough time” reality, we need gentle, supportive guidance to take it one thing at a time. Breaking it down into bite size pieces is immensely helpful when we’re breaking down.

Put Your Love In Writing

This week I hosted an online Zoom forum for dads of daughters, which was a new thing for me to try….and we all loved it! There’s nothing I love better than gathering with fathers from across the country who all have a similar goal of pursuing their daughter’s hearts with more intention. 

[I do plan to do more of these online gatherings as I’m seeing the practical benefit of meeting in this way….so stay tuned!]

One thing we discussed was the idea of dads giving their daughters a special gift this Christmas by writing a letter to love and bless them.

If you want to join these dads and give your daughter a Christmas gift this year that: 

• Won’t cost any money

• Won’t require driving to the mall (you’re welcome!)

• Will only take 30 to 45 minutes of your time

• Is guaranteed to be one of her all-time favorite gifts…then get your pen ready!

One of the greatest presents you can give your daughter is to affirm her through writing. 

I speak from personal experience by sharing that I’ve saved all the letters and cards my dad has ever made me. And I’ve heard innumerable stories from other daughters who also have saved letters and cards from their dads, which are sacred treasures, especially for those whose dads are no longer here to tell them in person that they are loved.

And in a world where written communication is increasingly digital (texts, emails, tweets), a letter scripted in your own handwriting is sure to stand out as unique.

Dad, put your words of affirmation, acceptances, belief, encouragement, promise, and praise into writing because your daughter will treasure what you say to her for a lifetime. 

The time you spend now putting your thoughts, feelings, prayers, wishes, hopes, and dreams into written form will pay dividends long after you’re gone as she reads and rereads your words.

Whether you’re a dad who has already begun this practice or you are a tentative newbie, I want to share a few ideas to support your pen-to-paper challenge. 

Here are a few dad-to-daughter letter-writing ideas to add to your repertoire:

• What is one of the first things you remember about her from when she was born and you looked at her for the first time?

• What beauty did you see in her then and what beautiful features do you see in her now? (Girls love hearing about their eyes, smile, and the unique features that you see as beautiful)

• Write about a favorite childhood memory you have of her

• What strengths do you believe she has, both in terms of skill and in her person (her character, personality, etc.)?

• Write about a favorite childhood memory you have of her

• Tell her specific reasons you’re proud of her

• Write about what obstacles you have seen her overcome—emphasize such qualities as courage, resilience, strength, commitment, endurance, and power

• Write about dreams you have for her future, whether in the form of your wishes for her or things you pray about for her—do this without preaching or lecturing, only encourage

• Tell her what it means to you to spend time with her

• Communicate why you love being her dad in this season of her life (add current things about her age right now that you’re aware of and highlight them as positive)

• Let her know that you will always be there for her, telling her what it means to you to be her dad

Dad, as you give your daughter the gift of a letter from you this Christmas, I guarantee it will be one of her favorite gifts that will last a lifetime.

How the Quinceañera Teaches Fathers to Celebrate Their Daughters

In celebration of my upcoming Spanish translation of Let's Talk: Conversation Starters for Dads and Daughters, I’m sharing with you a heartwarming story I read awhile back that was tucked on the back page of a small-town newspaper. It was about a traditional Latino celebration as told through the eyes of a father. It was only after reading the article that I realized it was actually written by his daughter! This indicates to me that she got to feel and hear what her big event was like for him…at a heart level.

Clearly this dad’s love for his daughter is evident as he shares his perspective on the biggest day in his 15-year old daughter’s life, her Quinceañera, as it officially marked her leaving childhood behind while publicly embracing womanhood.

Though I’ve never attended a Quinceañera, this story makes me wish I had. I’m truly in awe of the precision to detail, preparation, planning, and investment of time and money that went into one single day for a teenage girl. What a forever gift she was given by her family! And similar to that of a wedding day, the focus is centered on a single “flower” who blossoms in front of all who come to celebrate only her. Even in the written story I could feel the incredible love that was poured over her, especially from her father, as four main events represented her transition from little girl to grown woman:

1. The changing of her shoes from flats to heels

2. Her dance with her last doll

3. Her crowning with a tiara

4. The dance with her father (which is said to be the most important part of the entire event)

Photography by Martin Muriel Fotografo, 2019. Full gallery available here.

It was so touching to see a picture of the dad kneeling at the feet of his daughter, removing her flat shoes while slipping onto her feet a pair of heels, as if she was a princess at the ball. In response to this interaction dad says,

“Seeing her walk in heels was probably what made it all real for me. She hadn’t worn heels because she wasn’t supposed to, so seeing her stumble around and try to find her balance was just reminding me that she was going to struggle on her road ahead and she was going to have to make herself stable again on her own.”

And there was dad, nearby, waiting in the wings, ready to catch her if she did indeed fall.

Dad continued by explaining how emotional it was for him to see his daughter laughing and smiling while dancing in her sparkling dress holding her favorite doll. He found himself reminiscing about how it seemed like only yesterday that she was playing with Barbies. It had gone by so fast and now here she was all grown up. Yet as her dad, he was filled with joy as he proudly showed her off to everyone.

Reading this story made me wonder what it would be like if every branch of society took a cue from cultures where dads actively celebrate and mark their daughter’s maturation in some kind of significant way.

And what if dads everywhere found a way to let their maturing daughters know they are dialed in, present, and on board as she transitions into and embraces womanhood?

I wonder what would happen if every girl, like the one in this article, knew that she had a day marked out for her where her dad treated her like the belle of the ball in a significant and celebratory way to confirm that she has profound value in his eyes. She would have that day and that event to look forward to long before it took place.

And if a big shindig isn’t your daughter’s style, maybe…

• You could take her on a dad-daughter hike to a beautiful place in your state initiating a new annual tradition that celebrates her love of adventure and nature

• She would enjoy a dinner party hosted at a restaurant with a few family and/or friends where you could surprise her by writing and reading a letter about what gifts you see in her that make you proud of her

• You could have a fancy dinner at home where you read her a handwritten letter while the rest of the family listens, ending with a dance in the living room to a pre-selected song

• She would like a piece of special jewelry that will remind her every time she wears it that she’s your girl and you love her to pieces

• She loves risk-taking that activates her adrenaline while proving to herself that she’s brave, like bungee jumping, scuba diving, climbing a rock wall, or running a half marathon and you can celebrate together in that way

These are just a few ideas to hopefully spur your creativity and motivate you to plan ahead by creating an event to let your daughter know that you are excited to see your little girl grow up. Share your ideas with her and together decide what would have the most meaning to her. And if she’s already grown, you can do still do this in retrospect; she’ll still love the fact that you’re celebrating her now.

Dad, let’s start with practical steps. Connect with your daughter today---through your written, texted, or spoken words---and let her know that you celebrate the girl and woman she is. She’ll shine inside and out as you honor her today!

And just for fun, here's a video of an adorable dad-daughter Quinceañera dance where the two made this moment completely their own:

10 Things Your Daughter Needs From You This Valentine's Day

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I feel compelled once again to talk about all things women and romance!

I know this isn’t typically a topic that draws your attention, Dad, but for the sake of your daughter, you’ll be wiser for staying with me on this. I promise!

A couple of days ago I read an article titled, 'The Bachelor' Is A Failed Experiment, So Why Does America Still Watch? by Ruth E. Samuel. What a great question. I've actually wondered the same thing.

The reason I’m addressing this today is to highlight keys to understanding your daughter’s inner longings. The more you dial in to what’s going on inside her at a heart level, the less she’ll turn to learning about love and relationships from unhealthy sources [like this TV show!]

Summary of the above-mentioned article:

• ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’ is “an experiment in love and matchmaking in the modern era…and a highly manufactured depiction of romance” that isn’t about finding love since less than ten couples are still together after 26 seasons in 20 years

• There were 3.8 million viewers last season, with the largest demographic being women between the ages of 18 and 49

• The goal of every contestant is to get the lead’s attention at any cost, even giving expensive gifts or expressing grand gestures, which is usually a one-way street

• 35-year veteran psychologist William J. Ryan notes that “watching the show is a social-bonding event like watching the Super Bowl…and audiences can’t ignore how the series offers ‘vicarious pleasure’ that ‘feeds our own imagination about romance’”

• Ryan also notes that the show thrives on contestants trauma-bonding and trauma-dumping as a means to evoke vulnerability, which is actually an attempt to develop pseudo-intimacy

• Podcaster Chad Kultgen says the series “isn‘t showing how to establish a good foundation for long-lasting, healthy relationships, but, as with any form of entertainment, it’s a mirror of the good, bad and ugly of our society, a thermometer of the culture, because what drives today’s culture is the fame machine”

Notice the words I highlighted in bold.

Read them again.

As a dad, do any of these themes concern you as you think of the way your daughter is being influenced by these methods, messages, models, and mess-ups?

When you think of the ways this show is shaping her view of romance, love, dating, relationships, imagination, and intimacy (or lack of it) that requires doing whatever it takes to win a man, do you have anything rise within you that wants to protect her heart? Or at the very least, does it motivate you to want to have a conversation with her about what she’s learning from what she’s seeing? (even if she tells you it’s a harmless form of entertainment).

My response to the above-mentioned article:

• Women often thrive on living vicariously through the relationships of others (whether on the small or large screen, as well as with their friends) rather than experiencing their own relationships lived out in real time

• Whether women know it or not, ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’ inform, educate, condition and reinforce unhealthy relational dynamics that shape their perspectives of romantic interactions based in unrealistic expectations and norms

• If women spend time exposing themselves to content that normalizes interpersonal drama, emotional chaos and relational disrespect while highlighting this as a typical part of romantic relationships, this mindset seeps into their consciousness as an acceptable aspect of dating and marriage

• When there is a lack of real-life, healthy modeling about what it means to be in a vibrant, respectful, honoring, and mutually-edifying relationship, women are apt to be drawn to anything) that engages their heart desire for romance, even if it’s unreal, unhealthy, harmful and dishonoring.

All this to say, if millions of women are watching these shows on television and have been doing so for over two decades, it’s highly likely that your daughter is in this demographic now…or she will be.

More importantly, if she’s like many of the women I’ve counseled and mentored over the last two-plus decades since this television show debuted, she will allow herself to be treated poorly in dating relationships because these relational dynamics are subtly influencing cultural norms.

Here’s where you come in: Rather than your daughter learning about romantic relationships this way----where she watches women throw themselves at a guy they barely know just to win his affection, even if it means clawing their way to the front in order to be seen and chosen, often disrespecting themselves with how they behave or treat those around them, etc.---what if you, her father, came alongside her this Valentines Day to let her experience what it feels like to be the heroine in her own story!

Here’s your 10-step plan of action:

1. Choose to spend time with her

2. Tell her you see her as beautiful

3. Show her what chivalry looks like

4. Hug her

5. Buy her flowers

6. Treat her to dinner

7. Listen well

8. Ask questions to show you care

9. Give (or send) her a Valentine’s Day card

10. Share what you adore and admire about her

Your daughter will feel like the most cherished girl or woman on the planet as you, her Dad, shower her with love, kindness and validation in an extra special way this week because you’re the real man whose heart is always turned towards hers.

This is the best Valentine’s Day present you can ever give her!

Why I'm Thankful for Jay's Life and Legacy

After my last blog on leaving a legacy, I received so many emails from you dads that I decided to continue with that theme.

Here’s an observation I’ve made over time: You can tell a lot about the soul of a man by the way he speaks of his children.

And you can tell even more about the soul of a man by the way his children speak of him.

Maybe it’s because of my profession where I have the privilege of getting up close to heart stories or maybe it's because I'm a daughter myself, but the unarguable truth is that when a daughter knows she is loved by her dad, it shows.

I guess you could say that her face tells the story.

When I meet a father who intensely loves his daughter, my spirit dances. I smile and celebrate when hearing their stories. I even find myself flashing forward as I envision her as a confident, clear-headed woman who believes she can change the world, in large part due to the forever investment her dad has made.

I guess you could say that my face tells the story.

Today I want to highlight the profound life and legacy of my friend, Jay McKenney, a dad whose life told the story of sacrificial, fierce, committed love.

Jay battled an aggressive form of cancer for over a decade, and in January of 2021 his suffering ended when he transitioned from earth to heaven, leaving behind his wife Allison and two daughters, Macy and Ava.

At first glance he may have seemed like any ordinary father. But if you look closer, Jay will inspire you to never again take for granted even one day that you have with your daughters. For all throughout his excruciating battle, Jay remained committed to making sure they knew how much he treasured them.

Even as his body was failing, Jay showed love and support for his daughters, leaving them with forever memories. While his presence cannot be replaced in their lives, he took advantage of every opportunity to ensure that he left a love deposit.

I guess you could say that his legacy tells the story.

I’ll always remember the day he was my in-studio guest as we recorded an interview on my radio program, The Dad Whisperer. Jay wrote me early that morning because he found out that Ava was getting an award at school and said he needed to be there. He was willing to change his plans to surprise his daughter on her momentous day.

Another way that Jay’s fathering example touched my life was to see how he made sure to be present at Macy’s track meets, cheering her on from the sidelines. He knew he wouldn’t always be there in person, which is why he invested his time when he could so she would always remember he was there.

I guess you could say that his presence told the story.

I once asked Jay how he fathered differently after his diagnosis. Here’s what he said:

“Sometimes I think in some areas I’m less patient. If the conflict is about something trivial, I find myself having an internal dialogue about what’s really important in life, the big stuff, and how this isn’t it. So the challenge for me is to get to the heart of the matter in the trivial conflicts, and to find a way to love more in the way I handle them. Because even if the conflict is trivial, me loving them well through it is not.”

His response prompted me to then ask: As a father who is facing his own mortality in ways beyond what many have faced, is there anything you would say to other dads that you’ve discovered these past couple of years?

“From the moment you wake up, you are getting messages sent to you from the outside. The majority of them that say that you need to do something more, buy something more, have something more, and if you don’t you just aren’t quite succeeding. Your daughters are getting those same messages. From social media, from advertisements, even from friends and teachers. We, as their fathers, have the best chance to consistently send a better message, louder and more consistent than the others: That they are completely loved, now. That they are fully enough in your eyes simply because they exist and they are your daughter. They need to hear it, they need to know it, they need to feel it.”

Jay had a tribe of thousands on Facebook who watched his life closely because he allowed us to have a front row seat to his process. We all said we wanted to live like Jay, adopting his word #contend as our own because in his death he taught us how to live.

I wonder sometimes why we have to be pressed to the end of ourselves or the end of our lives to have clarity. I watched Jay’s life and can honestly say that he purposely lived each day to it's fullest, seeing every day as a gift. He knew that each day was one more day he had to invest in his lives of his precious girls, and he never wasted an opportunity to show them he loved them.

On this Thanksgiving week, I’m grateful for the way Jay reminds us all to be thankful, not only that we are alive, but that we have today to make a difference in the lives of those we love.

Trick or Treat: A New Spin on Fathering

With Halloween being just two days away, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to weave this theme into my dad-daughter Friday blog. So here goes!

Dressing up for Halloween is something I’ve been doing since I was three or four. And because costumes were mostly homemade back then---in the 60’s and 70’s---I usually ended up as a Bohemian girl. Just picture me as the one with bright red lipstick and a black beauty mark penciled onto my cheek, wearing an outrageously huge skirt with a scarf covered in plastic coins on my head. It was actually the best repeat costume my mom could muster and one that took very little effort since it was worn year after year. We called that a win-win!

By contrast, my dad grew up with very little parental involvement, not just on Halloween, but on the other 364 days of the year as well. Living on the south side of Chicago as one of seven kids, he grew up with two primary, life-defining variables: extreme poverty and an alcoholic dad. Among other realities, those two themes resulted in him fending for himself much of the time, with very few memories of interacting with his father.

My dad has shared some of his Halloween memories with me, including those of costumes he created on his own. I love these stories because they show his creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness, ranging from him being a hobo with black charcoal spots under his eyes to that of being a box. Yes, you heard me right! As a boy, my dad went as a box for Halloween! He cut holes into a box that he got at the grocery store for his arms and legs, with one for his head, and then drew buttons on the front. Voila…he was a box!

I will admit that I laughed uproariously when he first told me that story. But then I honestly applauded him for his brilliant imagination as he rose to the occasion when he had no option but to create a costume all by himself.

As you just read in these accounts of two parallel generations at Halloween, both my dad and I made choices for our outfits based on the level of involvement by our parents. I imagine you’d say the same thing as you think back on what this day looked like for you as a child.

When it comes to the kind of fathers that each of us end up with, some of us get the “trick” version while others get the “treat.” Let me explain what I mean as I seek to add some of my own creativity to these holiday-themed words.

Here’s what a father looks like who “tricks” his daughter, followed by one who knows how to “treat” her well.

A dad who “tricks” his daughter will:

• Put his needs before hers on a regular basis

• Teach her by the way he interacts with her that women are “less than"

• Tease her for being emotional, leading her to put walls up as a protective shell

• Criticize her mom, leading her to believe that she’s going to turn out the same way

• Use her for his sexual pleasure and rob her of her innocence

• Contribute to the exploitation of women through his engagement with porn

• Make her never trust God as her Father because she can’t trust him as her earthly father

And now, let’s move on to the good news. Here are a few ways that a dad can positively “treat” his daughter so she internalizes his affirmative view of her:

A dad who “treats” his daughter well will:

• Tell her daily that he loves her and why he loves her

• Notice the things that have meaning to her and then share in them with her

• Provide for her needs

• Buy a special treat for no particular reason other than to reinforce her value

• Love her mom (and if divorced, only speak positive words or not say anything negative)

• Affirm her positive qualities

• Gently and lovingly set boundaries and limits as a way to teach her to respect herself and the world around her

• Listen twice as much as he talks, knowing that this will let her know she is worthy of being listened to

• Pursue her heart by actively spending time with her as a way to really know her

• Enjoy the uniqueness of her personality by laughing at what makes her laugh

• Have fun doing activities together that strengthen their bond, understanding that every one is another page in her “forever book"

• Build the bridge for her to trust, connect to, and feel positively about God as her Father because he’s been trustworthy, connectable, and invested as a dad

So Dad, it’s up to you to decide what kind of dad you are: One who tricks or one who treats your daughter.

I pray that today you’ll choose to be the best man in her life, one who treats her with dignity and value so she will always know and believe that she is both a treat and a treasure.

With that spin on this All Hallows Eve, I say, “bring on the treats!”