OMG! It's my oldest child's birthday today 21

It doesn’t seem like yesterday that she was born and now she has the key to the door, well actually she had that when she was about 12!

My daughter has so many wonderful traits that any father would be proud of. She is competitive, caring, thoughtful, ambitious and above all just a really nice person with time for other people.

There are so many memories of the last 21 years that I could right a 3,000 word post, but don’t panic I’m not going to remember every one and embarrass her that badly!

There are a few special memories that are prominent in my mind. I remember coming home from work when she was about 18 months old and she would be waiting on the doorstep to get me to walk around the block every night. 

I remember her going to a show in which she was dancing and there she was in her pretty costume and just before she was about to go in she turned around to me to give me a kiss as I was sitting in the car and somehow managed to slip and split her lip, but like a trooper she just carried on. 

At sports day throughout her primary school education she won the sprint every year from nursery to year 6. How proud was I of her! A fantastic acheivement. 

She had a determination and competitive edge to just want to win and nearly gave me heart failure in year six as she managed to slip at the start and give everybody a five metre start! I confess now I really thought there was no way is she going to win, but her desire to win was awesome and she actually went past them all with 10 metres to go! As a dad one the proudest moments ever. 

Playing football and being part of one of the first most successful girls teams in Wales. This was actually about 13 years ago and the discrimation towards girls playing football was very strong and I would have to say many of girls in that team were as good if not better than a lot of boys playing football. 

Maturing beyond her years to deal with mine and her mothers divorce and always being there for her younger sister and brother without fail. For one so young and actually only a child herself she showed a level of maturity than some adults struggle to achieve. 

Her determination and loyalty through a tough time was unwavering and contact with my children never faltered and a part of that is down to her. I know that her determination to see me made my life in keeping often regular contact that much easier. 

Her belief in herself is quite honestly awesome. She did her a levels and knew she didn’t want to go university as it wasn’t for her, so she got a job and has quickly proved herself an asset to the company she works for and achieving promotion at such a young age. 

These are just a few of many memories

I am so very proud of my daughter J as she turns 21 today. She has developed in a very mature caring thoughtful young lady. The world is hers for doing whatever she wants to achieve. 

I feel pride and admiration to call her my daughter. She is a credit to herself and I love her so very much.

Happy birthday J. I hope you have a great day.