She wanted me

To know my oldest daughter is to look back into my own past. We are so much alike, sometimes I wonder if all that separates us is an y chromosome and 26 years.

Also, because we are so much alike, we tend to clash at times. We went through a phase not long ago where I would come home and rather then meeting me at the door, she would cry and tell me to go back to work! It bothered me for a few weeks, but then I remembered that I can be the same way. Allie simply does not like her routine interrupted. Needless to say, however, she is a mommy's girl.

The fact that I always wanted to be a Dad for as long as I can remember, and the fact that she is our first born makes that tough at times. I want so badly to be her big, strong hero. I have that relationship with her little sister, and though its not the same with my son, he and I will have tons of fun together. I live for the moments when Allie lets me into her circle...

My family has been struggling with illness. Just two nights ago Allie was complaining of an ear ache. We took care of it as best we could that night and put her to bed. Around 2 AM came a cry from Allie's bedroom, and much to my surprise she didn't cry for her mother, but for me.
One of the sweetest words for me to hear is Daddy. Of course I rushed to her aide, and for the next ten minuets was allowed into that circle. In that short expanse of time, all the frustration and work that is sometimes our relationship became null and void, because I was her hero, her protector, her comforter, her Daddy...