Today is my daughter’s 13th birthday.  That is serious.  She is my first born child, and life has not been the same since.  So I want to say Happy Birthday to her, and I’m thankful that God chose me, out of billions of men, to be her father.

Here is an excerpt to an article I wrote sharing how being the dad of a daughter has changed my life in a major way over the past 13 years:

My daughter turns 13 tomorrow.  **pause for reflection** **pause for reflection–again**  Wow!  I have a 13-year-old.  A 13-year-old girl!  It is a huge understatement to say that since the minute she came into my life it has never been the same.

As I am writing this post, she is sitting in front of me while my wife does her hair.  She now likes to wear her hair a certain way.  She is 13.  I am trying to digest it all.  One or two dads reading this can relate.

Mixed emotions

It is hard to put into words the feelings you have as a dad when your baby girl is becoming a young lady.  On one hand you are proud of the young lady she is becoming.  On the other hand you miss the days when she was daddy’s little girl.

You also think of you, your homeboys, and girls when you were 13!  Ever had that nervous feeling in your stomach?  Yep, I got it.

Welcome changes

As I think of all that and the 13 years of being the dad of a daughter, I realize how much my life has changed.

Click here to read the full article.  When you are done, please come back and leave a Happy Birthday message for my daughter.  She’d love to know “daddy’s readers” wished her well on her day.  🙂

What is a great way to celebrate your son/daughter’s 13th birthday?  Please share in the comment section below.