Dear Papa,
I never shared my feelings with you when I was growing up. You were dedicated to your Army job and I grew up with mom. I lacked the emotions for you that I had for mom. I got to know you completely so late, Papa.
Papa, I missed you when I was a kid and used to take mom to my school for a parents meeting. I missed you when my friends’ dads used to take them out for picnic or trips. I missed you whenever I used to fall in life.
When you retired and came home finally to be with us forever, I was already in college and had friends. I no longer needed you at that point. I remember how we used to fight a lot because we didn’t know each other enough.
But as time passed by and I spent more time with you, I understood how wrong I was. You needed us more than we needed you. Me, mom and bhai had each other all the time, but you were always at work alone. It must have been difficult for you.
Now that I know you completely, I want to express my feelings for you, dad.
Thanks for being our pillar of support always. Wherever we are today, it is all because of you. Thanks for never stopping me from learning new things. I tried and fell many times in life, but you never showed any disappointment.
Thanks for never saying no to my solo trips. Thanks for believing in me when everyone else gave up. Thanks for making me strong and confident. Thanks for never pushing me for marriage and letting me decide for myself always. Thanks for accepting my partner, even if he was from a different caste. Thanks for agreeing to my decision of having a court marriage.
I never said it before, but I love you, dad. Lucky are those girls who have a feminist, caring, loving and understanding father like you.
#HappyFathersDay, Papa