Happy Father's Day to my first love, my forever superhero, from him I became alive, because without him I wouldn't have come into existence, and right from the very moment I took my first breath, you were there, I imagine your heart filled with so much love you couldn't contain because I've experienced you overwhelm me with that overflowing love in my almost three decades of existence, you've showered me with that love alongside your care and sacrifices and truly it has no end. I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude today and always I have to pour out my heartfelt appreciation for having a father like you in my life.

I used to think that all fathers were the same as it is their responsibility to take care of the children little did I know that life doesn't always end that way, as I have seen children who were denied that father role, looking around me and seeing another angle as to what a father means to someone else made me shudder in fear that this world can actually be that cruel. A real father is willing to commit, with lots of sacrifices, forcing that smile while having many knives stab at your back from various responsibilities, from your job, finances, family pressures, and lack of personal time, but fathers are masters at hiding it all, so well to become a perfect dad for us.

I still have faint memories of my early childhood, I remember how my place of comfort was on your shoulders, you would carry me up with your strong hands, as I giggled with joy while mum would be scared of our 'rough play' as she always called it, but in your hands, I felt the safest, I almost felt I could touch the skies because, to me, you were the tallest man on earth. Even in those childish moments, you already laid the foundation for me to be confident and not be scared to explore the world as you would allow me to stretch those little hands of mine and how I believed I was indeed touching the sky baffled me, that's the magic of father to daughter connection.

As I grew older, I began to understand that being strong isn't just about possessing physical strength, you showed me that true strength lies in kindness, standing up for what is right, and not being ashamed of being vulnerable. I have watched you several times giving to our neighbors in need, sometimes even sacrificing our last meal, I remember thinking so hard about why you did that one evening when our next-door neighbor had nothing to eat because her husband was out of a job, you took our last meal and handed it to her and her children and little me was worried for myself, don't mind this foodie of a girl, but somehow through God help you always come through with a solution, thinking back, those solutions would have caused you more, but you never mentioned or act like it did, you are the true definition of fatherhood, not just to your children but everyone who comes around you

When setbacks came, as they inevitably do, you also lost your job one time and things became incredibly difficult, I know because I watched you skip meals even though I never skipped one meal, knowing about how you stood against stealing and corruption in your workplace and would rather quit than get rich quickly through dubious means. You are more than admirable, those dubious colleagues of yours later ended up in prison and you as a determined man, already had a business up and running you faced the challenges head-on, and never allowed the circumstances to dim your spirit. You are a fighter, you kept on pushing, and you are forever my superhero.

If there is one name our neighbors know you as it's "the peacemaker ", you are always compassionate to everyone, and always ready to lend a helping hand, our house became like a judge's courtroom because you will ever grant a listening ear to our friends and neighbours in trouble or having conflict, your show of wisdom would always prevail at the end of the day because I wonder how two people who were at each other's throat at the beginning suddenly end up smiling and talking to each other cordially that's the magic my daddy does, I would say proudly, I guess It is from how you treated everyone, irrespective of their social class, with dignity and respect. These I have learned from you and also grown with.

Through every moment, you were there, from kindergarten to college and now that I'm married and even doubled your fatherhood title to Grandpa, I was even looking for you in a partner, but you told me to look for myself in that partner, it was a simple word but had a deep, if I found myself in my partner, that means I found you, and there was nothing to worry about, indeed I found myself and I'm ever grateful for that advice everyday because it gave me peace.

In today's world, parents hardly have time for their children and spouses for each other all due to their busy lifestyle, for the aim of achieving success, that I often wonder how you were able to create that work and family life balance, your words still resonance in my heart that "Success means nothing if you don't have time for the people you love,". This wisdom guided me in making my own career choice as a mother now, ensuring that I never lost sight of what truly matters. Happily, it has helped strengthen the bond in my home.

On this Father's Day, like never before, I can't help but feel blessed and overwhelmed with gratitude to have you as my dad, my superhero, for being there through it all. This realization is humbling and precious beyond measure. So, to my first love, my forever superhero, I say Happy Father's Day! Thank you for giving me life, not just in the biological sense, but in teaching me how to truly live.

Thank you for reading.❤❤

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