I want you to know.

Writing is the best way I know how to express a deep emotion I wish to convey. This morning my heart was stirred and filled with such gratitude for my dear daddy as I fell asleep last night just after we rewatched Lorretta Lynn’s biographical movie Coal Miner’s Daughter. There’s just something so compelling that happens when you listen to storyline that has some parallels to your own.

No doubt Lorretta loved her daddy like I love mine.

I was born a preachers daughter. I know I was the apple of his eye.

Although he grew up in a home never hearing he was loved— he was bound to tell us every time he could.

His home may have had white carpet and was filled by 7 but it was far from joyful or complete.

All he ever wanted was to make his daddy proud but granddaddy never could show it if he was.

So he set out to build his own home where there would be loving words, dirty floors, laughter and singing, and everyone welcomed in.

Beyond his great calling to share the Gospel, it was clear to all of us that his family was what mattered most.

From building us an A-framed home tucked far in off the road-to-taking us on family adventures year after year, Daddy lived to make us kids understand the value of family.

One-by-one we grew up and left our childhood home but the memories are etched deep inside of me and continue to help shape my home today.

Dear Daddy - I am proud to be a preachers daughter. I loved our A-frame home. I loved and continue to love all of our Daddy/daughter dates, and I love you so very much. XO