The Power of a Dad's Written Word

A few years ago I had the privilege of doing my first public appearance for a radio station in Oregon after I started hosting my own program, The Dad Whisperer. I loved being able to meet people in person at the event and hearing their stories while giving away copies of my dad-daughter book every hour.

I’ll never forget meeting the first recipient, a colorful dad who had tattoos all over his body. He told me that his 17-year old daughter lived in the Midwest with her mom, and though he didn’t see her often, he was happy they could stay connected through texts. Because I was being introduced as the woman who specialized in dad-daughter relationships, I decided to “go for it” (though I suppose I was a little pushy since he hadn’t asked for my opinion!). I encouraged him to write letters to his daughter here and there, adding that when a father writes something in his own handwriting, it stands out from technology. I realize I may have been incorrect in how I read his body language, but he didn’t seem all that receptive.

Fast forward to the next hour’s book drawing. The winner was a demure woman in her late 50’s who had beauty and poise. We got to talking and she shared that she had just lost her husband of 38 years only nine months earlier. She had come to this event alone and was learning to branch out and try new things on her own, pushing past fear.

I decided to ask about her relationship with her dad. She said that he was a quiet man and they didn’t have much of a relationship because he worked a lot. But then her tone beautifully changed and she broke into a big smile while telling me a touching story.

She said that when she was in 8th grade her dad went out of town on a business trip and he left two letters for her to read while he was gone. By the tone of her voice and her radiant smile, I knew which question to ask next.

"Did you save the letters?" I inquired.

With eager enthusiasm, she boldly responded, "YES... and I still have them to this day!" 

I immediately told her I needed to find the dad I had met earlier because I wanted her to tell him why the written words of a dad matter to a daughter forever, long after he's gone. Yet I had no idea how I would find him. 

Then in a way only God could orchestrate, that man’s girlfriend won a book the next hour! So back to my booth he came. Of course I could hardly wait to tell him this other woman’s story.

I’m not sure he was as inspired as I was, but suffice it to say, this is a story that bears repeating here while serving as a lesson to dads of daughters.

Put your words in writing and your daughter may save what you’re written for the rest of her life. This reminds me of another Father who has modeled to us the power of the written Word where He tells us that He loves us with His forever love (Jeremiah 31:3).