Prioritizing Father-Daughter Time

L. and I got home from our travels Tuesday night. J. met us at the airport with flowers. He's sweet like that. Watching L. light up when she saw him almost made me cry.

I had been nervous prior to our trip about the length of time we would be away from J. When we chose our flights I was so worried about making it worth the trip, finding the most direct route, avoiding the holiday, etc. that I didn't stop to think about the actual number of days we would be gone.

So, before we left I was a little anxious about how L. would deal with being gone so long. I was worried about how I would deal with her missing J.

I know she missed him. She said, "daddy" a lot. We skyped once and she was so happy to see him. She wanted to talk to him on the phone.

But she had a good time too. We visited my best childhood friend. L. played games and had tea parties with her daughters. We went to two different zoos. We visited a historical village and all the girls got little prairie bonnets. We did a lot of wonderful stuff. Lots of playing and laughing and running.

And now we're home and it's apparent just how much L. missed J.

J. surprised us and took the day after we returned home off of work. We had a really nice, mellow, relaxing family day. L. clung to him. Everything we did she wanted him where she could see him. Wednesday night she woke up at 3am, yelling for daddy. I went in (I'm usually the one who goes to her at night) but it didn't help. When J. came in she hugged him and went to back to sleep immediately in his arms.

They have such a strong bond. Even after being gone for nine days she didn't push him away. She ran to him, she hugged him, she immediately started playing games with him. She wanted him to push her on the swing and play chase. It's wonderful. It makes me so happy my heart hurts.

And it makes me really sad that we're leaving again soon. This will be a much shorter trip. J. will meet up with us. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't put the two trips so close together.

Not that I can change that now. I'm really looking forward to our upcoming trip. I'm trying to focus on the good stuff. This week we're making the priority father-daughter time. Every minute that J. is home from work is time for the two of them. Lots of playing, lots of cuddling, lots of love. I've thrown bedtime out the window and just watch them interact until L. decides she's had enough and is ready for sleep.

It's a wonder to watch.

As I'm writing this, L. is calling for J. Normally she only wants me at bedtime. Tonight she wants her daddy.