To My Tiffani

To My Tiffani,

 

It seems like only months ago that you were born. I sat holding you and cried with joy that you were alive, healthy and beautiful. I promised you that I would always be there for you, that I would always protect you, and that I would never let you down. It was a young and inexperienced father’s promise. :)

 

You crawled, walked, talked, and went off to school before I could turn around. It seemed like over a summer you learned to read, swim and then became a teenager. They say time flies when you’re having fun. It sure has flown and I have had a blast raising you.

 

I am not lamenting the lost time. I am treasuring the memories of time spent with you. I am not a father wishing I had spent more time with my kid. I am a father very thankful to have the privilege of time spent with you. I am not a father filled with regret. I am a father filled to the brim with pure joy and amazing memories of laughing and doing goofy things with you. Like being in a Breckenridge Colorado gift shop and you dressing me up as hop hip  dad and taking pictures of me.

 

“Remember what your last name is”. You heard that in some form many times over the past 20 years. “Last name” has been a big deal in our family. When you were young and other kids would do something that you and Kandice were not allowed to do, you would hear “their last name isn’t Simon”. When you would go over to a friend’s house to spend the night, or on an outing without mom and me, you would get the “remember what your last name is” version.

 

The message was that I held you to a higher standard and I wanted it to be clear. You couldn’t do what they did just because they did it. You were my child and carried my name as a reminder. I expected excellence from you and expected you to expect excellence from yourself.

 

Well, this week you filled out the forms and officially changed your name. Tiffani Michelle Brown. I’m not used to it yet. I changed it on my phone. That was weird. I can honestly say that I am not the least bit sad about it. I am thrilled to death that you and Josh are married and have come to accept that he wasn’t going to change his name. :)

 

What I want you to hear me say is: Well done! My expectations were so high and you exceeded them all. I know that it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t handed to you. You busted your rear to be a great human and you have done it successfully. The name Simon is better because you carried it for 20 years. Well done!

 

You are more than ready for what’s next. You are solid. You process complex issues on a level that is uncommon in people in general and very rare indeed in someone your age. You amaze me with your wisdom, passion, creativity, optimism, joy and your faith. I am especially impressed by your love and compassion for people. You remind me of our Father. You are a forgiver and a grace giver. I love that in you. Our world needs a lot more grace. Our world needs bold women like you to share both your dazzle and your depth.

 

One of the greatest joys of my life is being able to say that YOU are my daughter. I am so very proud of you! You’re everything I hoped for. You’re everything I dreamed. You are so beautiful to me!

Dad (June 2008)

 

 

 

Comments

[Tiffani Brown :)]

I love you so much. i would love to write my own paragraph blog in this comment about the amazing dad i have that raised me and is now one of my greatest friends. but im not sure this comment space would hold it. Thank you for a the great things you said about me. Your opinion means more to me than you could ever know. I am probably the most proud daughter anyone could ever meet. Thank you for teaching me, holding me to a high standard, giving me an abundance of grace, showing me how amazing our God is and teaching me to worship, being my friend, listening to me, being someone i want to introduce ALL of my friends too, believing in me, thinking im prettier than i really am :), and most importantly loving me unconditionally.
You are an outstanding father, friend, teacher, leader, husband, and so much more.
I am so lucky to have you.
I love you.