25 Things A Real Man Does – Letter To My Daughters

As of father of two amazing daughters I have tried my best to tell them every day they are intelligent, beautiful and special. I wrote this letter after visiting them at college.

I love you both more than you can imagine. Once you have children you will know what I mean. I am so proud of what you both have and will accomplish in your lives. You are going to change the world before all is said and done.

When you dropped me off at the airport, I felt both great sorrow and intense pride and happiness. The sorrow is that I won't see you as often and the intense pride and happiness is that you are both moving on to the next phase of your lives. You are both on an exciting journey. Take time to enjoy the journey and don't let anyone tell you or prevent you from following your dream.

I don't know if you mother ever told you these things...I think Grandma did, but I want you to hear them from me: You are both special people. You are smart and beautiful and successful. Don't settle for friends or boyfriends who do not see how special you are and don't treat you with love, kindness and the utmost respect.  Always look at the character and patterns of behavior of everyone with whom you associate. People tend to go back to their patterns of behavior when times get hard. Hard times don't build character...hard times reveal character.

Always REMEMBER this about what a REAL man is and what a REAL man does:

1. He will love you totally and completely without ANY conditions.
2. He will always willingly and lovingly put your needs and your family's needs ahead of his own.
3. He is kind.
4. He is gentle.
5. He is considerate.
6. He is happy when you are happy and sad when you are sad.
7. He will be willing to talk, listen and do the best he can every day to be a good friend, husband, father etc...He will stumble occasionally but he will never ever quit.
8. He will have a good career and will have finished his education.
9. He will have both the means and the desire to protect and provide for you and your family.
10. He will be responsible with money and not put you and your family in desperate or difficult financial situations.
11. He will save money with you for a raining day and for your mutual dreams and goals.
12. He will have goals and dreams that match yours.
13. He will call when he says he will.
14. He will show up when he is supposed to.
15. He will keep you informed when he is coming home, where he is when he travels and when unexpected changes come up...and they will.
16. He will treat you as the most important thing in his life...because you are.
17. He will be there to work with you and help you through the good times, the hard times and ugly times. Believe me there will be many bad and ugly times in your life.
18. He will stand beside you and support you in all things.
19. He will work out issues and challenging situations with you.
20. He will be someone you can always count and depend upon.
21. He will always encourage you.
22. He will carry himself and conduct himself so that everyone knows and can see he is completely and totally dedicated to you and your family.
23. He will make every effort to get along with your friends and your family.
24. He will want you included in every part of his life.
25. He will love your children with all his heart and soul and be willing to die for them.

You deserve and must demand to be treated right ALL THE TIME. Please always remember this quote which I used in the book:"There comes a time in your life when you realize: Who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will...So, don't worry about people from your past. There is a reason they didn't make it to your future".