15 Things I Love about My Daughter

On Sunday, my daughter will turn 15 years old.  I know it’s trite, but I truly can’t help but wonder where the time has gone.  Even though time has flown, being her father has been and continues to be a blast.  I have sincerely enjoyed every phase of her life and every transition she has made along the way.  I cannot make time stop but I can make the most of the time I have, and that’s what I am trying to do with my daughter.

Psalm 127:3 states that “children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord” (CEV).  I have experienced the truth of that statement every day that I have been a father.

So, in honor of my daughter’s 15th birthday I want to share 15 things that I love about my daughter.

1. Her spirit.  She has a “way of being” that is calm and cheerful.
2. Her kindness.  She is kind and thoughtful and generous to others.
3. Her sense of humor.  She is witty and downright funny.
4. She loves to laugh.
5. She can make anything fun.
6. She genuinely cares about other people.
7. She is loyal to her friends.
8. Her willingness to go for something she wants, even if it pushes her beyond her comfort zone.
9. Her strength to stand up for what she believes and to “go against the grain” in order to maintain the integrity of her beliefs.
10. She likes to read.
11. She exhibits joy that makes others joyful.
12. She loves God.
13. She loves to worship God.
14. She truly wants to follow Jesus, and not just because her parents do.
15. She loves her Mom and Dad and still likes to hang out with us!

If you’re still reading, let me encourage you to do this for your own child (no matter how old).  Several years ago, I wrote a top-ten list similar to this list and taped it to my daughter’s bathroom mirror as a surprise.  To my surprise, that list is still on her mirror!  The reason is because children want and need affirmation from their parents.

No matter the age or stage of life of your children, you can bless them today by writing down some things you love most about them and sending it to them via email, text, video chat, snail mail, or in person.  It will also bless you.

So, what do you love most about your child?