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Just a few days prior to the ceremony, Dad treated me to a trip to a local dress shop in town.
I was well aware that our budget wouldn’t allow for anything extravagant, so I selected a soft blue dress featuring a fitted waist and a flowing skirt that elegantly moved whenever I turned.
The moment I stepped out of the dressing room to show him, Dad immediately pressed a hand over his mouth. “Oh, baby girl,” he said, his eyes beginning to glisten with unshed tears. “You are the most beautiful girl in the world”.
I smiled and shook my head dismissively. “You always say that, Dad”.
Holding my gaze steadily, he insisted, “Because it’s always true, sweetheart”.
I decided to twirl once, letting the skirt beautifully flare out around my knees, which prompted Dad to hastily wipe his face with the back of his hand.
“Stop doing that,” I gently scolded him. “You’re making me emotional in a retail setting”.
Dad laughed in response, but the tender expression on his face made me desperately want the upcoming graduation to be absolutely perfect for him, even more so than for myself.