Butterfly Kisses is a popular song written by Bob Carlisle & Randy Thomas. It is often sung at weddings where people like to see grown men cry.
The song starts out: “Two things I know for sure. She was sent here from Heaven, and she’s Daddy’s little girl.” The verses progress to: “Sweet sixteen today …” and then, “She’ll change her name today. She’ll make a promise and I’ll give her away.”
In the middle of the song there is a warning, “Oh the precious time, like the wind the years blow by!” This is the WARNING to dads – we only have so much time. The choices are to invest in that time wisely or look back and wonder where it went.
Investment tips:
- Talk early and often with Mom and draft a plan to stay emotionally engaged through the school years and beyond.
- Schedule regular time with your daughter – it may be getting ice cream or playing on her turf at a young age. As she matures, it might be a walk through a park or a dinner date.
- Schedule extended one-on-one time at key junctures like “sweet sixteen” or the move into middle school, high school or college – these may be weekend retreats or more extended adventures or trips.
(Check out Being There father-daughter (11-18) retreat, December 6-8, 2013)
The transition from “little girl” to young lady can be a tough one for dad and daughter. “One part woman, the other part girl; to perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls.” Be intentional with your effort to invest time regularly in the father-daughter relationship and you will be a hero in her eyes. “In all that I’ve done wrong, I must have done something right to deserve her hug every morning and butterfly kisses at night.”
Comment below on what you have done or will do to stay engaged with your “little girl”.
