Lately, I keep seeing the meme that says "I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me." Now, I agree with that completely. I love my mother; she is strong and raised me as such. However, I would like to think that I am also strong, perhaps stronger, because a strong, hardworking, respectable man raised to me to be the woman I am today. Sometimes, I think maybe women forget how strong our fathers truly do make us.

I am a strong woman because a strong man raised me. Since the beginning, I had a special bond with my father. I was always with him; he took me everywhere. Of course he did the typical fatherly things, like teaching me to ride a bike, playing games, the fun ones like uno, and strategic based ones, like rummy, stratego, and much more. Everything we did together mattered. I learned that everything has a purpose, and there was always a lesson to be learned. We spent a significant amount of time together, and when he went to work, I could not wait until he came home again. Even when he was busy, he always made time for me.

I am a strong woman because a strong man raised me. As I have grown, he has showed me how hard work goes a long way, how self motivation is golden, and how time management is your best friend. He taught me how to clean because he wanted me to be able to take of myself, otherwise, how would I survive or ever care for anyone else? He taught me that crying doesn't make things better, but sometimes it helps to let it out. But he never said "You're acting like a girl, stop crying," no, he said crying simply doesn't help, that I need to learn how to calm myself in order to try to put the pieces back together. By doing so, he taught me that even when I am in pain, I still have to keep going. No one can do it for me, I have to do it myself, but he will always be there for support. He showed me how to be independent, a trait I have always valued and carried with me. Yet, he said always know there will be people who you can turn to for support. I can depend on myself because he showed me how. He helped me, because he is a loving father and a strong man.

I am a strong woman because he taught me how to stand on my own two feet. To never let anyone put me down or tell me I cannot do something, because I know I can. I may not be good at something to begin with, but you can be sure I will try my hardest to succeed, and I will. He helped me become confident in myself, to become strong not just mentally, but physically. Not everyone can say their father trains them in the gym, quality time I always treasure.

I am a strong woman because a strong man was willing to play tag outside on the playground, to play pretend tea, to play barbies with me as a child. I am strong because a strong man showed me that there was more to life than being pretty or thin, but it was about being strong, intelligent, and kind. I am strong because he showed how to love and go above and beyond for the people I love. He taught me that actions are much louder than words. He had deep conversations with me about life and important issues. And he showed me that even though he never had a father who was there, he became a spectacular one.

I am a strong woman because a strong man raised me. He raised me to be kind, always, always, be humble, and have faith. I am truly lucky to have been raised by him.