While it might seem that mothers are often more appreciated, we will definitely not overlook the importance of a great father. So dads, this one is about you.
Sometimes harsh and maybe a little distant, sometimes more nurturing than one could expect, a dad builds the image of a true man in his son’s or daughter’s eyes. He is the one you run to when your mother goes all nuts for not making your bed again, but he is also the one that will make your tremble like a soldier in front of his sergeant.
A dad is often the entertaining figure in a family. Dads are the ones teaching us about sports, tricks and… pranks – someone has to do this too. When a kid gets to say “My dad is better than your dad” -- not the best thing to say, true -- it's only proof that a father has done his job right and for his child, he is better than anyone, a true role model and hero.
A great dad will always support you, help you and protect you, and most importantly, he will always have your back.
Here are 21 dad quotes to express love and appreciation.
My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. ― Jim Valvano
My father was my teacher. But most importantly he was a great dad.-- Beau Bridges
My dad was my best friend and greatest role model. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend.-- Tiger Woods
The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams and aspirations he sets not only for himself, but for his family.-- Reed Markham
The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.-- Tim Russert
My dad has given me the best gift anyone has ever given me. He gave me wings to fly.-- Adria Arjona
My dad always said, 'Champ, the measure of a man is not how often he is knocked down, but how quickly he gets up.'-- Joe Biden
It's the courage to raise a child that makes you a father.– Barack Obama
I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.
Never is a man more of a man than when he is the father of a newborn.-- Matthew McConaughey
No one in this world can love a girl more than her father.-- Michael Ratnadeepak
A father is a man who expects his children to be as good as he meant to be.-- Carol Coats
My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.-- Clarence Budington Kelland
As a father you must have the mindset that being a dad is your most important job.-- Mark Merrill
By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong.-- Charles Wadsworth
A daughter needs a dad to be the standard against which she will judge all men.-- Gregory E. Lang
The power of a dad in a child's life is unmatched.-- Justin Ricklefs
Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.– Anne Geddes
Dads are most ordinary men turned into heroes.– Pam Brown
What we become depends on what our fathers teach us.
Becoming a dad means you have to be a role model for your son and be someone he can look up to.-- Wayne Rooney
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.