Here’s Hoping My Girls Have Friends Like This

Places my girls go will not always contain me.

Such a crucial element, outside of the roots and wings such talk evokes: Friends.

She’ll need GOOD friends, there for support and common interests.

She’ll need GREAT friends, there for companionship and belonging.

She’ll need EXCEPTIONAL friends, along for life.

Where friends come in, my girls, I wish for you:

ACCEPTANCE | Love you for your quirks, your heart, your spirit.

Photo: The outlets, with Marie and Grace -Eli Pacheco

BELONGING | Surround you with a crew much like you, and a little not.

COMFORT | When boys act dumb and life turns cruel, a soft landing place.

DEPTH | Challenge your mind and soul with thoughts you’ve never thought.

EMOTION | Demonstrate peaks and valleys unique to you. Show my girls a different way.

FAVOR | Advocate for my girls when I can’t be there. Stand in her corner.

GENEROSITY | I’ll bet my life my girl will give you what she has when you need. Will you?

Photo: My school, my girl, our mascot. -Eli Pacheco

HONESTY | Give it even when it’s not easy. Hold my girl accountable when I can’t.

INDEPENDENCE | Know when to stand on your own, and when to ask my girl for support.

JOY | Know that life will get us all down – but live joyfully nonetheless.

KIND | Hold my girl accountable, but also show her kindness. I’ll hold her accountable for the same.

LAUGH | Take on yourself, my girl, and the world with humor. She’ll laugh along with you.

MAGIC | Believe in it, would you? I do, and she’s been raised to. Let’s never let it die.

Photo: The moments after a sweet, smiling photo. -Eli Pacheco

NETWORK | Never forget my girl. She’ll remember you for always, too. She’ll want to help you someday.

OBJECTIVE | Hold aside your love for my girl should the situation call for it. Do right, and do for good.

PANTS | Please, yes, never let her leave without her pants.

QUALITY | Know that I’d give anything to be where you are, walking, standing by her side.

RESPECT | Value her, and never stop valuing herself. Insist upon it, especially from her.

SANDWICH | Expect that she’ll share hers with you. And cut you the slightly bigger half.

TACOS | See the above note about sandwiches. Understand that with tacos, all bets are off.

Photo Credit: Photopin

UMBRELLA | Hold a space for her; always know your space is saved for you under hers.

VALUES | Hold tight to them, even when yours and hers don’t mesh – especially when they don’t.

WALK | Steady your spot at her side, behind her or in the lead. The steps are what count.

YELLOW CARD | Have no fear of carding and booking her. Friends check friends.

ZEN | Find that peace between you, that place the only thing that matters is you two.

When he’s not hosting guest posts from his blogging friends or putting cheese on everything, Eli Pacheco writes a blog, Coach Daddy, about life as dad and soccer coach to three girls. Follow him on Google Plus, Pinterest and Twitter.