Dear Heart,
Father’s Day brings up all kinds of emotions. For some, it’s a day of celebration - BBQ's, dad jokes, big hugs, and shared memories. For others, it’s more complicated: filled with absence, pain, or unresolved feelings.
For me, it’s somewhere in the middle - a blend of deep gratitude, reflection, and emotion.
Growing up, my dad was tough. He was strict, often grumpy, and yes, we were kind of scared of him! So were our school friends.
But now, looking back, I see the pressure he was under - trying to provide for our family of 5 during times of serious financial stress. Those 18%+ housing interest rates we always hear about? Yep, I lived through that growing up!
Today, my dad has softened into someone entirely different.
🩷 He’s a gentle, loving teddy bear of a man - someone who faced cancer with quiet strength and unwavering optimism. It’s nothing short of inspiring. I turn to him for advice, and he always knows just what to say. He comforts me when I need it most and encourages me to chase after things I never thought I could do.
I know how lucky I am to have him, especially knowing that not everyone gets to have this kind of relationship with their dad.
My Father’s Day story doesn’t end there...
💔 My son hasn’t had his biological father in his life since he was very young, and that’s something I’ve carried with a heavy heart. I’ll never fully understand how that absence feels for him, and yes, there’s a part of me that has felt guilt over it.
The truth is, I couldn’t change someone who wasn’t willing to choose his son and our family unit over other things.
What I can do is surround my son with love, support, and steady, positive role models. And thankfully, he’s found that in his grandfather and stepdad who show up for him in all the ways that matter. He once told me, “It’s okay, I’ve got Opa, and I’ve got my stepdad. I’m lucky.”
And he is. He has a grandfather who’s become his safe place. A stepdad who shows up for him with kindness, support, and guidance and an impressive talent for being super annoying. But hey, it’s practically in the stepdad job description!
Blended families show us that love doesn’t always follow a script. Sometimes, it shows up in new and unexpected ways, and that deserves to be celebrated just as much.
Is there someone in your life who has shown up for you, quietly and consistently?
Not always with grand gestures or loud declarations, but in the small, steady ways that often go unnoticed. The kind of person who checks in just when you need it, who listens without trying to fix, who makes you feel safe simply by being there. Maybe it’s a parent, a grandparent, a sibling, a friend, a mentor, a work colleague or even someone unexpected who stepped in during a hard season.
These people may not always say the words “I love you,” but their actions say it all. They show up. Again and again. In moments of celebration or crisis, in everyday texts and long silences, in rides to the airport or cups of tea when words won’t come.
Sometimes we don’t realise how deeply we’re being cared for until we pause and look back. Who is that person for you? Have you told them lately how much their presence has meant? If you feel moved, consider reaching out to them as even a simple message can remind them how much they matter.
❤️ So if Father’s Day feels joyful for you - soak it up!
❤️ If it’s painful or complicated - know you’re not alone.
❤️And if, like me, it feels layered then maybe that’s the most beautiful kind of celebration there is.
Show love. Be kind. And don’t underestimate the power of simply showing up. To the people we love, the ones we miss, and the ones who chose to step in when it mattered most.
With love,
Danielle xo
I’d love to hear from you: Who is that quiet, steady presence in your life? How have they shown up for you? If you feel comfortable, please share your story in the comments below. Sometimes, simply naming these relationships can remind us all of the love and support that surrounds us - even in the most unexpected ways.
Let’s create a space here for connection, gratitude, and healing this Father’s Day.
2 comments
Absolutely beautiful post. I can really relate. I’m somewhere in between too. A lovely father who was strict and softened on old age but is no longer with us and a fatherless daughter who is happy and surrounded by love. It’s the bitter sweet symphony of life xx
Beautifully written – so true. Cheers to the families we choose when we don’t always have it made! <3