Dates with Dad
Every year since I was 3, I’ve gone on a Christmas dinner date with my dad. It’s been a special time for us. We dress up just a little bit, do some Christmas shopping together, and pick a favorite restaurant for dinner. I think it’s fair to say that both of us cherish the real conversation we find in those hours. It’s quality time we look forward to sharing.
Ever since Riley was born, Kevin and I have talked about continuing that tradition. I think over the years, I learned more than I realized during those times with my dad. There’s so much a girl learns from her dad about what love looks like, how a gentleman acts, and what kind of love she deserves. I’ve said many times that it’s not been so difficult for me to understand God’s fatherly love for me because my dad has always loved me so well. From the beginning, Kevin realized the significance of the roll he plays in our daughters’ lives. We knew we wanted our girls to share special times with their dad, but Riley’s developmental challenges made it a little more difficult to figure out when the right time would be for their Daddy-daughter dates to begin.
A few weeks before school was out for the holidays, Riley performed in a play at school. The kids were supposed to dress their best for the performance, so Riley eagerly got “all dolled up.” She surprised me when she came downstairs and asked me to hot roll her hair. The moment the rollers came out and her glossy blond hair bounced into ringlets, she turned to me and asked, “Is Daddy going to take me out to dinner?” It seemed the time for Daddy-daughter dates had finally come. I know better than to promise Riley anything before it’s a sure thing, so I told her that I wasn’t sure Daddy had planned to do that this time. Then I called Kevin and relayed the question and Riley’s enthusiasm. I think it was in that moment that we realized what a big deal this performance was to Riley. Kevin immediately said, “Well, I think I just might do that. Ask her where she would like to go.”
So, after the play that night, Kevin and Riley went out to dinner at our favorite local Mexican restaurant, Los Tres Magueyes. Of course, Zoe was sad to be left out of the special occasion. When Kevin came home, she wrapped her arms around his waist and said, “Daddy, would you take me out to eat by myself sometime too?” Of course, Kevin promised that he would.
Until this week, the time had not presented itself for Kevin to make good on his promise. December had just been too busy. Then, one night as I was explaining to Zoe the virtues involved in sitting properly in her chair while she eats (“If Daddy takes you to a fancy restaurant to eat, you have to sit like a lady…”), Zoe turned to Kevin. “Daddy, you said we could go out to eat by ourselves, but you haven’t taken me yet.” So plans were made, and Wednesday Zoe and Kevin went out for a lunch date at Applebees. I wish I could offer you a glimpse of Zoe’s excitement over this opportunity for special alone-time with her dad. After her bath, she picked out a special outfit. “Mom, you have to look nice when you go out to eat with Daddy. Do I look nice?” Kevin had gone out for a run, but when he got home, she sat downstairs waiting for him, wearing her hair up, boots on her feet, and a jacket on her arms.
When they got back from their date, Zoe bounced in, her cheeks rosy and a broad smile on her face. I felt like God had given me a little glimpse of myself, bouncing back in the room as a girl, after so many special dates with my dad.
