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It’s a very special night, the Daddy Daughter Valentine’s Dance. RBC is transformed into a magical place where little girls and their Daddies create lifelong memories. For the past five years, I have helped my daughter prepare for this much-anticipated event. We shop for dresses, try on shoes, curl hair and paint nails. She comes down the staircase and joins her Daddy for a quick photo shoot, and then off they go. This year, however, my daughter was past the age of being able to attend so she asked if she could serve. As we left for the dance, my husband said goodbye in a difficult moment where we gave each other that “she’s-growing-up-too-fast” look.

The theme of this year’s dance was Enchantment Under the Sea. A treasure map led Dads and Daughters through an undersea world with something special to encounter at every turn, including seafaring crafts, treats, and decorations and plenty of dancing.But the most wonderful thing about the evening was watching the interactions. I did not see Dads absorbed in conversations with one other or checking their phones or watches. Rather, I saw dapper Dads proudly hoisting their girls into their laps for a picture. I saw Dads elbow-deep in glitter creating pretty crafts. I saw Dads enjoying ice cream sundaes and clam cookies complete with a  candy “pearl.” I saw a sea of Dads on the dance floor clapping to the chicken dance and cradling their girls in their arms to songs that remind them how precious and short the time is. It was a beautiful night.

Amid the enchantment, I saw little girls whose self-esteem soared. Little girls who felt so loved as their Dad fully engaged with them and entered into their world. Little girls who looked up to their Dads proudly. Bravo to all of you Dads who came and gave the gift of making your daughters feel like the most special little girls on the earth (or under the sea.)

– Vickie Wennemark, Family Ministry Assistant