When I was little my daddy taught me to love music. I used to fall asleep to a chorus of “I am a child of God” and wake up to “Popcorn Popping.” My Dad loves Janice Kapp Perry and we had C.D.s full of music that taught me all about how I was a daughter of God. Heavenly Father said that “the song of the righteous is a prayer unto [him]”. He knew that his little girl would need someone to teach her how to sing and develop her musical talents.

When I was little, my daddy called me princess. It was one of his favorite nicknames for me, and I remember that it always made me feel special. Heavenly Father knew that he needed someone that would teach his little girl about who she was. He needed her to know that she was royalty, and that she had a responsibility that came with that.

When I was little, my daddy read me books. I still remember him pointing to the pictures and not saying those words, so that I could fill them in, even though I couldn’t read yet. Sometimes I still sneak into my parent’s bedroom with my scriptures, and if I’m lucky…Dad won’t be quite asleep yet, and I can talk him into reading me a chapter of the Book of Mormon. There’s something about listening to my dad read the scriptures, almost like my Heavenly Father is speaking through him. Heavenly Father blessed his little girl with books to read, but he needed someone to help her because she wasn’t able to read them herself.

When I was little, my daddy taught me how to love. Every time that my dad talks about his family, I can hear in his voice and see in his eyes just how much he loves us. It is such a great example to me as to what I want in my family someday. Heavenly Father needed to have someone who could show his little girl how to love. He needed someone to teach her to appreciate all the people in her life.

When I was little, my daddy prayed with me. We would kneel on our prayer rug and say our prayers together as a family. It was in this setting that I learned to talk with God. Heavenly Father knew that he needed someone to teach his little girl how to talk to him. He needed to know that this person was going to set a good example, and lead his little girl up the right path.

When I was little, my daddy gave me blessings. There have been many times throughout my life when I have been sick, or scared, or even just nervous about an important test. Some of my most treasured memories have been of receiving blessings from my Dad. I’m so grateful that he has kept himself worthy to hold the priesthood and give that gift to his family. Heavenly Father knew that his little girl would need someone with the authority to give her a blessing. He wanted to make sure that she would be taken care of spiritually, and that someone would be able to do his will and give her a special gift from him.

When I was little, my daddy carried me on his shoulders. Sometimes I couldn’t see above the crowd, I was so little. Dad would hoist me onto his shoulders so that I could see above the commotion, but he always told me to hold on tight. In life today, I don’t always see everything clearly. With all the chaos in the world, at school, and among my peers, listening to my dad helps me to see above all the disorder of the world and take a step back. Heavenly Father knew that his little girl would need someone to help her see the truth through the shadows. He knew that he needed someone to teach his little girl that everything would be okay as long as she had faith in him.

When I was little, my daddy loved me. Heavenly Father knew that he needed someone to love his little girl. He needed someone special, who would teach her the gospel because he loved her; who would be a good example because he loved her; who would honor his covenants and be the very best that he could be because he loved this little girl.

And so, Heavenly Father found someone who could do all these things for his little girl. Someone who could teach her to love music, who could show her her individual worth, and read her books. Someone who could love her mother and family, pray with her, and give her blessings. Someone who could help her see above her circumstances.

Heavenly Father gave his little girl a great gift.

He gave her a father; and she couldn’t be any more grateful.