The First time I told my dad that I LOVE him

I got to tell my dad “I love you” for the first time when I was 23 years old. My dad was a stoic 63-year-old, man of few words type. Needless to say, we weren’t that close.

One day, when we were the only ones at home, he was watching TV, when I felt a thud in my heart directing me to tell my dad “I love you.” I was actually waiting for an opportunity like this, and it couldn’t get any better…this is the day!

So I approached my dad, but as I was getting nearer, my courage failed me. I never thought it was this hard to tell someone you love, that you love them. I tried a second time…a third…a fourth…and finally a fifth time. I told myself, “No Guts, No Glory!” As I came near, rather than eloquently deliver my lines, I blurted out these instead:

Me: Daddy, can I talk to you?

Dad: Sure.

Me: Can you turn-off the TV?

Dad: (Turned off the TV)

Me: I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate everything that you did for our family and all the sacrifices you made, I really appreciate it. Uhhhmmm…Thank You!

Then I left! I was so tense that I forgot to tell my dad I love him, which was my intention all along.

I went down in one of the rooms to breath. After a few minutes, my dad went down in the same room to get something. When he entered, I told myself, “I’ve started it, might as well finish what I started.”

Me: Daddy, Oh I forgot to tell you, “I Love You so much.”

Daddy: <Jaw dropped> (Looked as if he saw a ghost)

Ever since that day, our relationship changed. We started having lunch and dinner dates for the first time in our lives. He would open up to me and I to him. I was even able to invite him to church after two years of rejection. After 6 months of bugging, he later joined our ushering team. My dad got baptized at 68 years old.

If your dad is not the expressive type, which is the case in most relationships; be the one to initiate affection. Tell your Father (your parents) “I Love You” no matter how bad your relationship was in the past. I promise you’ll never regret that you did.

You might say “But you don’t understand my dad,” you’re right, I don’t…but God does!

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

He knows the innermost pain in your heart, and the only way to heal it is to release forgiveness. This is the start of letting love flow in your life.

My dad passed away 7 years ago. I had the chance to tell him the most important words a person needs to hear from his love ones. Don’t lose your chance. Do it today!

Happy Fathers Day!!!