Daddy’s Girl

I have always had a special relationship with my dad. Many call me daddy’s girl, including my mom and sisters. I most certainly inherited his empathetic nature and his joy of travel, going out to eat, and staying in exclusive hotels! I also consider myself lucky to possess his entrepreneurial spirit and drive to strive for success.

I have many beautiful memories with my dad, but my favorite is the time I helped him build our dream playhouse. I say “help” loosely as I mostly played with a plastic hammer and wrench, while Dad stared, with a perplexed gaze, at the wood planksbefore him.

Dad is not the handiest of men. Whenever possible, he will pay someone to execute any task that requires mechanical expertise. Yet, for some reason, he spends an inordinate amount of time at the hardware store. My sisters and I have joked that this is just an excuse to take a drive, smoke, and get a break from my mom’s honey-do lists. He is also on a mission to collect as many incandescent light bulbs as possible, in protest of certain laws requiring LED lighting. I digress as this could take up an entire blog of its own.

We began our project on a blue-sky day many years ago. With the scent of fresh lumber, soft blue paint, and the sound of hammers and nails, days turned into weeks as the playhouse began to take shape. It had a sloping roof, a tiny porch, windows framed with white shutters, and the best feature of all, the double Dutch doors to greet our guests before entry. We even had cupboards filled with fake cans of Campbell’s soup, a plastic refrigerator, and a stove with miniature pots and pans to cook our masterpieces. Our imaginations ran wild, as my sisters and I created fond memories in that tiny yet magical space. The neighborhood kids would even come over and stand outside our unique door as we exchanged fake food for fake money. The benefit became evident to Mom and Dad since we were entertained for hours with no whining, fighting, or begging to go somewhere.

For me, the playhouse was more than just a structure. It was a testament to the bond between a father and daughter and a symbol of love, shared adventures, and cherished memories created together.

Happy Father’s Day!

Until Next Time,

❤️

Olivia

Read more about Olivia’s heart-warming connection with her mom and dad in Chapter 6!