The Greatest Gift A Father Can Give His Daughter

The most influential man in my life turned 82 years old over the weekend. That man is my Father, Gerald Rees.  He is my rock, my exemplar, my advisor, my hero, and my friend. He taught me that that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to if I am willing to work hard at it. He is always willing to give me honest feedback on what I can be doing to become my best self while encouraging me and building me up to know he believes in me with all his heart. My father set the standard for the type of man I should marry and without his influence I wouldn’t be the woman I am today.

Knowing I wouldn’t get to spend his birthday with him due to the Coronavirus risk it made it all the more important for me to find the perfect birthday card to give him – one that would express exactly the way I feel about him. I can’t count the number of cards I read before I found the perfect one. It read:

  Front of card: “At what age does a daughter stop needing her Dad?

Inside the card:  “I’ll let you know when I get there.”

It was perfect!  It expressed exactly how I feel because I do still need my Dad…now and always!  Every daughter needs her Dad because a Father’s love gives her the foundation she needs to know she is capable of accomplishing anything.  

I am so grateful my father is still alive and around to be my rock and I pray he continues to be for many more years to come. I am also grateful that my Father gave me the gift of making sure that I know that he is not the only father who loves me and is always going to be there for me – my father has always let me know that I also have a Heavenly Father who is always here for me too and who loves me unconditionally. What greater gift can a father give his daughter than to help her understand she has two fathers who love her?! Thanks for that Dad!

I wish I could have given my Dad a giant hug for his birthday, but at least I was able to take him his favorite Aggie Ice Cream and sing to him from his front porch as I was able to see his smiling face through his glass front door….I love that smile! And I love you Dad! HAPPY 82nd BIRTHDAY!!!!

Amy Rees Anderson with her Father
Gerald Rees on his 82nd birthday

~Amy Rees Anderson (author of the book “What Awesome Looks Like: How To Excel in Business & Life” )

7 Comments

  • Khanyisani Zitumane says:

    Heart warming and inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

  • Pablo Regner says:

    Wish that my 15th year old daughter could write something like this about me. Thank you for this inspirational note.
    Greetings from Argentina

  • Karen Darton says:

    Happy Birthday Gerald, hope you have a wonderful one. I miss seeing you all at the temple. Hope we will be back together soon. I hope my temple dress still fits when it’s time to go back. haha

  • Donna Law says:

    You are so blessed to still have him with you. As I read your words, I thought of my dad. He taught the same, I learned like you. I miss him every day…

    • Shannon Rees says:

      I love you. Thanks for taking such good care of Dad. I mean it. You have grown into such an amazing woman. Love you.

  • Anonymous says:

    You are a rockstar. What a wonderful thing to do for dad. Amy, you have grown into an amazing woman. I truly respect the adversity and hard work you have tackled to become the person you are today. Love you.

  • Clark Anderson says:

    Aggie Ice Cream is always a great way to celebrate!

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