Father’s Day Letters

My Father in Law introduced me to something that would change how I view Father’s Day once I married Brittany. That first year, he wrote me a letter on Father’s Day (along with his two daughters like he had done for years prior). I thought Father’s Day was supposed to be about children honoring their parents?

Well, the tradition made such an impact on me, I started it when my first daughter was born and have continued it each year.

Why does it matter to me so much?

Having someone speak words of encouragement, validation, and meaning gives life to the recipient (me). My hope was that the letters I write now to my daughters would give them assurance one day of my deep love for them and provide a source of life in their own story.

I recently was lent a copy of The Blessing by Smalley & Trent and it reinforced this tradition. They define the family blessing that a father can give to his children as meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and an active commitment to fulfill the blessing. Through these letters, I’m able to speak a message that attaches high value to my girls and give them a vision for what the future can hold.

This quote from Smalley and Trent gave me chills and reminds me that silence can’t be my default as a father:

“For a child in search of a blessing, the major thing silence communicates is confusion.”

If you are interested in writing a Father’s Day Letter (or just a letter that can be read during any part of the year) feel free to follow some of these prompts to get you started.

• Memories from this past year

• Special events and milestones they reached

• Character traits you recognize in them

• Words of affirmation to encourage them

• Scripture to ground them and give them something to memorize

• A blessing that shows a special future for them

And remember, write from the heart and from God’s heart for them. Don’t overthink it!