Brent Rowland was named “Father of the Year” at Prairie League’s Daddy Date Night last Friday, Nov. 14. Below is his daughter Halee’s winning essay.
There’s a kind of love that doesn’t need to be spoken to be understood. The Greeks called it storge — the quiet, powerful bond that forms between family members. It’s the love seen in a father’s steady hand guiding his daughter through life. This perfectly explains how my dad is guiding me every day to be a better person. He does this by telling me to never quit, to do everything with 110% effort, to work hard, to forgive others, and to love others. He does every little thing with love. He is so much more to me than just my dad.
He is not just my dad, but he is my very own fairy godmother. When I have a crazy idea, he always jumps in and helps me make it a reality. I found that to be true during royalty. When I was running for royalty instead of choosing to make a simple poster or an easy visual aid, I went to him and said, “Dad, I want to make a Rube Goldberg machine.” Instead of shooting me down, he said, “Ok, how do we make this happen?” He gave me so much of his time to help me make it possible, and together we built an amazing contraption. And that was just one example.
Throughout my royalty year and far beyond, he has continued to be the person who helps me accomplish big ideas and turn dreams into reality.
He is not just my dad, but he is my number one cheerleader. Every game, every 4-Hevent, every school function, he is there. No matter what, I can count on him to be there for me. He takes time out of his busy day to show up and cheer loud. He comes to every volleyball, whether it is in Kendrick or at home. Every basketball game, even when it is a blizzard out and the roads are rough. He sits out in the pouring rain and cheers me on while I am in the pitcher's circle. Rain, sun, or shine, he stood on the side of the road or pulled the float while I waved at the kids in the community. He always has, and I know he always will, show up for me.
He is not just my dad, but he is my very own personal handyman. If something is broken, who do I call? My dad. And let’s be honest, I usually need him for car problems. When you drive a 1994 Cadillac DeVille, things happen…often. Once, my car kept dying, and we could not figure out why. I realized the interior lights were staying on after I turned my car off. Dad and I read the owner's manual, but we could not figure out why this was happening. He decided the only solution was to get in the trunk and pull the fuse. Problem solved… until the next morning when I couldn’t find my keys. Turns out we accidentally locked them in the trunk… and the only way to open the trunk was with those keys. But I still wasn’t worried, because my handyman always finds a way. He tore out my back seat to reach the trunk and saved the day. My back seat is now secure in my car with my dad's secret tool, black zip ties.
He is not just my dad, but he is my very own superhero. I don’t need Superman or Captain America because I always have him to save the day. With his mighty zip ties in hand, he dropped everything to fix my over-stuffed royalty scrapbook moments before it needed to be on display. When I kill my car battery because I leave my car lights on and go to practice, he swoops in and saves me. When I got stuck on the icy hill driving to school, he was the first to come rescue me and everyone behind me. No matter how silly or serious the situation I get myself into, he is always there to save the day.
He is not just my dad, but he is my biggest teacher. I am amazed how every day I can learn something new from him. I think I get smarter every time I talk to him. I can ask him about anything. I love discussing whatever I am thinking about, whether it’s politics, school, the Bible, or everyday life. I can sit down with him and talk it through. My dad is teaching me every day how to be a better person. He teaches me how to love by loving me, how to forgive even when it’s hard, and how to work with determination. His work ethic is something I try to copy and turn into a lifelong habit. The lessons he teaches are priceless, and I’m so blessed that they come from him.
He is not just my dad, but he is one of my best friends. He knows me better than almost anyone. He knows when I am sad and always seems to find a way to cheer me up. He is constantly making me smile and laugh. I can not stay mad at him, no matter how angry he makes me. We have so much fun together building things, going on adventures, or just spending time with each other. Even if I don’t always contribute much to the building part, I still love being with him and trying. My dad loves me more than I thought possible.
My dad has so many more titles than simply dad. He is a fairy godmother, cheerleader, handyman, superhero, teacher, and best friend. With kindness, dedication, hard work, humor, intelligence, unconditional love, and black zip ties, he is transforming me into a better person every day. The one title he deserves above all is Father of the Year.
I love you, Dad, and I am so incredibly proud to be your daughter.
Halee Rowland