The Day I Discovered Unconditional Love

Summary: I love my partner deeply and would do almost anything for her…but she’s still my equal. My daughter, on the other hand is in another category of devotion entirely.

My daughter trying out her new face. I had no idea that a newbord will show such a complete range of human emotion straight out of the womb. I figured it took a week at least.

My daughter trying out her new face. I had no idea that a newborn will show such a complete range of human emotion straight out of the womb. I figured it took a week at least.

Would I risk my life for my partner? You bet. Would I give my life for her? Well, that’s a bit more complicated. I would do whatever I could to keep her safe, to help her achieve her goals, to provide everything she needs to thrive, but if one of us has to die I’d prefer it was her instead of me. Sounds harsh, but she feels the same way about me.

Though we are devoted to each other our love has its limits because we view each other as equals with our own agendas, desires, and dreams. We could also survive without each other just fine. Not to say that it wouldn’t be devastating and sad for a while, but we’d move on and the pain would subside with time.

Our daughter is a different story entirely. If she were to die tomorrow,  it would leave a permanent whole that would never heal.

I would gladly walk in front of a bus to protect her. No hesitation. If someone pointed a gun at us and asked which one, I’d say shoot me without the slightest pang of regret. I would literally trade me life for hers at any moment without a second thought.

So in a crisis situation, if she expects me notice that she too is in danger, it’s probably best that my partner picks up our daughter and waves her in front of her. Because honestly, when my daughter needs me, that’s all I see. Everything else just fades away.

A side sleeper since day one. No way she's going to sleep on her back no matter what the experts recommend.

A side sleeper since day one. No way she's going to sleep on her back no matter what the experts recommend.

Before my daughter was born, the top of my list of goals would be filled with visions of fame, fortune and personal fulfilment. Pretty much me, me, and a bit more of me. The day my daughter was born, the list was rewritten. Now I just want to make sure she thrives and above all, out lives me.

My own dreams and ambitions are still very important, but if my daughter dies before me, I would have failed on a very deep and profound level.

That’s just unacceptable.

That’s it for now.

File Under: Dad’s Unconditional Love Versus Conditional Love  – Father’s Love for His Daughter – Self Sacrifice – Protecting Your Child – The Loss of a Child – Father’s Devotion to Family and Child


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