How much can a child love their parent?

To what extent does a child love their parent? After all of the tantruams, time outs, groundings; after hearing "no" countless times; after begging once again for something that we really want! After getting o mad because the only reasoning you are given is "because I said so". After all of that... how much does a child REALLY love their parent? Endlessly. Absoulutly head over heals endlessly in love.

While finishing my last year in highschool I learned in pshychology class that the earliest bonds formed with a child and their parent/ caregivers have a huge impact on the rest of the child's life. Lack of this bond can be detrimental to a child because he/she is left with no sense of protection. My teacher showed us videos of children who never had a bond with their parents and the diffrences they present with compared to the ones that did. It was truly heartbreaking for me to see the issues that the kids had just because they were never hugged, or told that they were loved. Looking back on this lesson now I can be nothing but grateful for the amazing parents I have in my life, especially my dad.

One experience in particular made me realize the beautiful blessing I was given.

In middle school I started to do poorly in my grades. On the way to school one morning my dad had a "stern" talk with me, and I went into school sad and close to tears. As the bell rang for 1st period I heard my name being called. I turned around and there was my dad. "Dad what are you doing here?" I asked him. "I wanted to apoligize. Are you okay?" he replied. We made up and he gave me a huge hug and went on his way. When I got home that night I asked him why he came back, and he replied "because I love you". A funny feeling shot through me....Love. From that day on I admired my dad even more. I didn't just see the punishments, and forcing me to study..I saw the reasons behind it: Love.

Its so hard to explain the way my dad can make a person feel inside. He makes you want to go out and make other people feel the same way he made you feel. His inviting conversations, honesty, humor, and faith is what make him so unforgettable. I never understood why so many people liked my dad or why people went out of their way to do him a faovr, or just stop by and say hi. Every person who has ever met my dad knows the lasting effect he has. I feel so incredibly blessed to have a father like him. I cannot imagine my life without my dad being close by my side . I know he will go to the ends of the earth for his kids to make sure we have everything we could ever want in life. We are so blessed to have such a kind, loving, hardworking father. He has taught me to be humble, thankful and kind. He has shown me that everyone deserves respect no matter who they may be or where they are from. I feel so bad for anyone who has yet to meet my dad, once you do, you won't be able to forget his radiating persona and the way he made you want to be a better person.

If I was aked how much I love my dad.... i would say absolutly endlessly.

Happy fathers day, daddy(:

-Lauren.