Every woman wishes to experience the bond between fathers and daughters, and as Leneah never got to meet her father, she was disheartened every Father’s Day. However, one man stood beside her and played the role of a perfect father for her all her life. It was Leneah’s grandfather, and when it was finally time to walk down the aisle, Leneah did not have to think twice before asking him to do the role.
Leneah was just five when her mother decided to end her toxic marriage, which is why, along with her daughter, she moved to Georgia from Texas. After two years, the two settled in Ohio, where her grandparents lived. They were always welcoming, and after moving to her grandparents’ place, Leneah finally got to know what having a home felt like. It is supposed to be your safe space, your comfort zone. Since day 1, her grandfather has loved Leneah immeasurably. From welcoming her home with open arms to forgiving all her silly mistakes, he became the father figure in her life.
Seeing their love also relieved Leneah’s mother from all worries, as she did not see Leneah adjusting so quickly. Now, she knew a strong girl would be raised, and there would be a male role model who would also be a part of her life. Grandpa was there on all her milestones, no matter how little they were. He was always spotted in the creek, cheering for her. So life became easier for her mother, a single parent. Leneah recalls how much she enjoyed hanging out with her grandfather.
Going to baseball games to watch her uncle play, and being supported by him when Leneah started playing softball, remain her favorite memories. She felt pride in having such strong pillars of support- her mother and her grandpa. However, for Leneah, life became tough after her boyfriend passed away in a tragic car accident when she had recently turned sixteen.
She states that she can never forget how her grandparents held her, picked her up, and were there to reassure her that life always has paths for anyone and that she was going to be okay. Later, when Leneah’s grandparents had to shift to Florida after retirement, she knew she would miss them a lot. Although she was happy to see them start a new chapter of life, where they’d enjoy and relax rather than be overburdened with responsibilities, she missed them deeply.
She never missed a chance to visit them, as it meant going for wishes, laughing until their bellies hurt, and making memories that she would want to remember for a lifetime. She wanted the memories to be heard by her children one day, as they are an example of the places love may reach you from. Leneah saw that it was not just her but her three baby boys who looked forward to meeting grandpa and were overjoyed being surrounded by him.
A week before Leneah got married, her father reached out to her, but by now, she knew Grandpa as the only father figure in her life and wanted him to walk her down the aisle. When she opened up, grandpa was all ready to do the job. When the day arrived, waves of nervousness hit Leneah, and she told him how she couldn’t do it, but Grandpa gave her a warm hug, held her hand, and walked her towards the love of her life. The two even did the father-daughter dance, the highlight of the wedding day!
Grandpa might now be a father and grandfather to many more kids, but for Leneah, her world revolves around him. He did not just fill the emptiness of a father in her life but was a constant, a hero for her, and one who revived the spark in her to do good in life. He is everything to Leneah!
