Growing up my dad and I were best friends. I was a typical “daddy’s girl.” I started spending a lot of time with him when my younger sister was born because my mom was taking care of a new born. My dad and I did everything together. He was the first person to give me coffee (when I was 2, and it was decaf). I loved our car rides, going to the store together, and spending my time with him. I especially loved going in the car with him because he always played the best songs. He was the best human on earth to me.

As I got older, we still continued that bond even though I was a sassy teenager. My dad chaperoned my middle school dance, was my swim coach, and I could count on him to always protect me. I know that I am lucky that I got a dad that cares so much about me. As I got into college, we still hung out all the time. He was really there for me when I had that horrible freshman year, and one person who I always knew was in my corner. I looked forward to my weekends going home to spend time with him. We always went shopping together every Saturday, and I loved our talks and looking at all the new snacks the stores stocked. Those times meant more to me than words could say.

Right before I moved out and got married, slowly our weekly shopping trips stopped. He seemed to get angrier with me more easily than usual. I didn’t feel like he liked me anymore. I wasn’t really sure what happened, but that was honestly heartbreaking to me. I truly considered him to be one of my best friends, and I really just wanted that to always stay the same. I really needed him when I was going through postpartum OCD. I just wanted to go back to when I was little, and I could just be in my dad’s arms and things would be okay. That was a really hard time for me to not really have my dad. I felt like my mental health struggle was disappointing him, and I truly was sad.

Slowly, my relationship started getting better with him. This past week at the beach, I finally started to see what our relationship used to be like, and I was so happy. My dad is one of the coolest people, and I love hanging out with him. He tells the best stories and gives the best advice. I laughed with him more at the beach than I had in a long time. Watching him spend time with my daughters reminds me of the special relationship I had with my grandpa, and I hope that will always continue with my girls. I am so thankful I went to the beach this year because I feel like I got my dad back.