I was dreaming of you just now. As I emerged through the liminal space, I became aware it was a dream, and I willed myself to cling to the memory. For a moment, I had it, but as I opened my eyes you slipped, smiling, back into the fog.

So now all I remember is that it was you, and it was me, and it was us, and we were happy.

You asked me yesterday to name the one thing I love most about you. It was a trick question; you know I could never decide on the one thing I love about you more than any other.

I gave you a kind of diplomatic answer … the thing I love most about you is your willingness – eagerness – to give yourself to me. To submit fully, naturally, easily. And that’s true –  that’s my favorite thing. But it’s not exactly specific, is it? So let’s think about the many things I had to choose from when you asked me that.

Your smile. Melts me every time. Your whole pretty face lights up.

You have many smiles. There’s one that says I just made your tummy flip. Another says you have a secret. Another says you just had a naughty thought, another says you’re feeling mischievous and yet another says you're proud of yourself for pleasing me.

Your silliness. One night you called me when you were out with your friends, and I just sat back with a smirk, listening to your silliness. You turned to the phone and said, “Daddy I have jokes.”

Your eyes. Dark, expressive, almond-shaped. Big as those of a Disney princess. Bat those eyelids at me, and I’d do anything.

Your curves. So feminine and soft. Your skin, bronze and smooth.

Your impetuous, capricious, mercurial nature. You always keep me guessing. You’re my little emotional tornado, and you just need me to put my arms around you and let you twirl without hurting yourself. 

Your need for reassurance, and your willingness to ask for it.

But most of all, your submission. The gift you offered so soon after we met. Hmm, maybe gift isn’t the right word, because it’s something I earned … something you offer me the opportunity to earn every day. You love being told what to do; you love when I speak sternly, then warmly. You like being a tiny bit scared of me, and you like working to make me proud of you. You like being corrected when you wander out of bounds, even if you feel like pouting in the moment.

It has been a pleasure and honor to teach you, guide you, help you embrace the truest, deepest parts of yourself. We have much more to learn together. Thank you for being my good girl, the girl of my dreams.

• Daddy