Veteran stay-at-home dad Toby J. Swager, who recently wrote a book called "Daddy Do My Socks Match", tells of the joy spending time with his daughters and how they've picked up on his interests. Especially "Star Wars".
My girls are obsessed with Star Wars. I feel a little guilty. When you think of, "A Galaxy Far, Far Away …,” you don't usually think of two little girls. They each have a lightsaber. In fact, our youngest asked for one from Santa. She also asked for a Transformer. Go figure!
Christmas morning at our home was quite the sight. My little girl opened her lightsaber and her Optimus Prime and my heart felt bliss! After all, my wife didn't bless me with a son, so it's okay. They have a princess room, a box of Barbie dolls and other typical frilly girl stuff, but when they want to play, they imagine themselves saving the galaxy or fighting the White Witch! Did I forget to mention, we love Narnia, too! Even now, they can be found watching the Clone Wars series on Cartoon Network and feel a sense of satisfaction.
You see, my daughters don't fit the stereotypes. They are unique and unashamed of who they are, and that makes me smile. Sometimes they embarrass me, but that's okay. I can handle it! It's worth it to have two girls who share their daddy's heart for so many different things. From sports to God, they want to be a part of everything I do. I hope it lasts and that we never go through a trying time in our relationships, but if we do, I know we have something to fall back on.
I've been known to play with the occasional Barbie or to sit while they style my hair, and I relish those times. It means so much to them that I take time to do what they enjoy. It's those moments when I connect with them and begin building something beautiful: a confident young woman who isn't ashamed of who she is or how she looks. Someone who knows she doesn't need to be anything or anyone other than who God made her to be and that is what being a dad is all about.
What a privilege to be part of something so near perfect. The love of a child is more valuable than a winning ticket for the lottery and comes with better odds. So today, take some time and invest in something that will always turn out to be a winner, spend some quality time with your child!