Yesterday I had one of my favorite experiences as a father. Luckily, it’s something that happens quite a bit and it’s something super simple. My Crash Daughter came up to me and asked me to button up her dress for her. Yes, that’s right, 3 buttons made me super happy.

I’m not quite sure why my daughter asking me to button her dress is such a big deal for me. I think it probably comes from the movies which has romanticized the process. We’ve seen over and over in the movies where a father is getting his daughter ready for a wedding or the prom and he’s asked to button up her address for her to get her ready to go.

I think there’s more to it than just the movies. Plus, the reality is that the buttoning of the dress isn’t even the best part. The best part is being asked to do it. The reality is that there’s a lot of trust built into who a woman allows to button up their dress. I love that my daughter has that trust in me. I hope to never lose that trust. It’s such a powerfully beautiful thing.

Although, I don’t think that’s all. I think I also love that I can do something for her that she can’t do herself. Ok, there may be some really talented and/or creative ladies out there that know how to do the buttons on the back of their dress. However, it’s so much easier to ask someone and it’s unlikely that a 7 year old is going to figure it out. Plus, as a father it’s great to feel needed.

I love the idea that I’m helping my daughter do something that she can’t do herself. I also love being needed.

This I believe is an important life lesson. There are so many times in our life where something that’s easy for us can make a huge difference for someone else. It’s the essence of service that’s so beautiful. Just because it’s easy doesn’t mean that it doesn’t make a difference in someone else’s life.

Who would have thought that 3 buttons would be so great? Maybe only the love of a father could produce that result.