Day Three

Butterfly Kisses
By: Bob Carlisle

There's two things I know for sure
She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and I thank god for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking little white flowers all up in her hair;

"Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried.
"In all that I've done wrong I know I must have done something right
To deserve a hug every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.

But I remember
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy,
But if you don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time.
"With all that I've done wrong I must have done something right to deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly. Spread your wings and fly.
She'll change her name today. She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said
"I'm not sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl.
"She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,

Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right.
To deserve your love every morning and butterflykisses
I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember every hug in the morning
and butterfly kisses at night.

This, of course, is me and my dad's song. It has been ever since I was little and I recorded this song at a karoke booth. He thought it was the cutest thing ever, but I balled my eyes out at the very sound of it. Being a crazy little kid though who didn't know what I wanted, I begged him to play it at his company picnic, but without a doubt, when he did, I burst into tears of embarrassment. This story has always been the joke of the of my family, but it outlines the relationship between my dad and I. We have, just as every father and daughter have, grown apart during my teenage years, and we have definitely had our issues. But with everything that I have gone through with Zack, I realize now that the only man who is pertinent to my life, and the one man that will always matter the most is my daddy. No matter our differences, or our seemingly inconvienent inability to communicate, I will always know that he is there. Knowing that I am getting ready to enter a whole new chapter in my life, I have become aware that I will miss my dad so much when I leave in three months. I know he is denying that I am growing up, graduating, and going off to school. I know that he wishes he could do anything to stop it, but I also know that I cannot wait to dance with him to this song at my wedding, or see his face when I try to teach my own kids how to ride a bike. I know that my dad wants to freeze time, or at least slow it down, but what he doesn't know, is that no matter how fast time goes, I am and will always be his little girl.