Hey Dad,

Just in case you didn't know this about me, I'm cheap … although not as bad as Ebenezer Scrooge. Now with that said, let me tell you a recent story about how I overcame my natural cheap tendencies to love my daughter extravagantly.

It all happened while we were enjoying a much-needed rest in Florida from life on the road. Surrounded by thousands of pale, pasty-skinned tourists, we noticed several princessy-looking girls all dolled up with sparkling hair and pixie dust.

My boys hardly took notice, but all the womenfolk in my family oohed and aahed. I could only imagine how much it cost, and later found out that your basic princess hairdo/makeover cost about $50. Fifty bucks!!

As the days ticked by and we continued to see more walking princess-hairdo billboards, a growing prodding began to whisper in my heart: Katherine would love that.

I know, but it costs fifty bucks!, I inwardly argued. And it won't even last two days.

But the feeling wouldn't go away, and it had been working on my wife as well, because on the last night we both looked at each other and said, "What do you think about doing the princess makeover for Katherine?"

Then my wife added, "This could be the last year that she'll want to. Next year she might feel too old."

Sold!

That night we surprised our daughter with the princess treatment. She was overwhelmingly grateful, and as she walked towards me with sparkles in her hair, she beamed.

"Thank you soo much, Dad," she said as she hugged her old man.

"You look beautiful, Katherine," I whispered.

Well, I was wrong. The hairdo lasted four days, and Katherine loved every minute of it—and so did I.

You know, Dad, the makeover cost less than a seventh of a tank of fuel for the RV, which barely lasts two days. But my daughter will always remember the night she got the princess hairdo and how she felt loved by her mom and dad.

I'm telling you, Dad, loving someone extravagantly doesn't have to cost $50. One dad wrote me and told how he brought home candy bars to everyone in his family as a surprise. Same result.

It's not about spending money, though; it's about using your time, money, or energy to show love extravagantly from time to time. It's about sleeping out in the backyard, building a tree fort, or taking a much-promised road trip. It's all about doing it today, because tomorrow may be too late.

So, Dad, no excuses … just do it!

You 'da dad,

© 2007 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

[06/06/2008]

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