can see all that love that he has for me. The protectiveness.
The pride. I’ve obviously seen him look at me this way before,
but it’s never hit me this hard before. So hard that I want to
break down, laugh, and launch myself at him for a huge hug
all at the same time.
“I know we don’t tell you often enough how proud we
really are of you. Ever since you were a little girl you knew
what you wanted and you went after it. None of us understood
the obsession with science. But you wanted it and you went
for it, even when we tried to talk you into going into the
business. You wanted to be a teacher. That’s an incredible
calling. We were shocked and we were worried about you, but
you walked your own path and now look at you. You have no
idea how much your mother and I love you. You have no idea
how very happy we are that you’ve taken what you wanted
and made that a reality. It takes a lot of courage and hard work
to do what you do every single day. We want you to be happy,
Stephanie. Happy, safe, loved, what every father wants for
their little girl.”
“Jeez, Dad…”
“Don’t start with that,” Dad says with a wobbly grin as
I brush the back of my hands across my eyes. “Or do, if you
want. I’m sorry if you didn’t know. If you ever doubted it.”
“Not really. I was just scared. Fear is irrational.”
“It is irrational, but it’s often built into us to protect us
from danger and to preserve our life. You know that. It’s a
hardwired instinct.”
“Yes.” What the heck have I spent the past few days
thinking about? How could I not have thought rationally when
that’s all I usually do?