As I grew older, the phrase changed. It meant getting good grades so he wouldn't worry. It meant hiding my struggles so he wouldn't lose sleep. It meant trying to be half the man he was, even when I felt like I was failing.
Happy Father’s Day, Dad. You built me. I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you proud.
When I was little, "anything for daddy" meant sitting quietly in his workshop just to be near him. It meant handing him the wrong wrench and watching him fake a smile anyway. It meant believing he was invincible—a superhero without a cape, just a worn-out leather belt and a cup of black coffee.
Anything for the man who taught me how to stand, even when the world tried to knock me down.
Now, it means calling just to hear him grunt "uh-huh" on the other end of the line. It means showing up early to help with the yard work he can no longer do alone. It means telling him, "I love you," even when the words feel too big for the room.
So now, it’s my turn.