The one person I admire the most.
Yes, your father.
The one who quietly stands in the background, shaping your life in ways you don’t always recognize?
As I sit down to write this, I realize how little credit I’ve given to my father for being not just a parent but also a friend — a role so understated that it feels like I’ve only just discovered it.
I don’t think he ever demanded attention. Never loudly proclaimed his love for me. Infact, no fancy gestures or big gifts.
But, like the root of a tree — he was steady, strong, and always there, even when I didn’t notice.
I know when we think of friendship, the image that usually comes to mind is that of peers — friends we can call at 2 AM, those who share memes with us, or join us for spontaneous plans.
But friendship with a father is not the kind that seeks validation or thrives on constant communication. It is subtle.
My father never says “I’m here for you” in words, but his actions screams it.
From fixing the broken things I brought home as a child and to supporting me in navigating life’s chaos as an adult, he has always been a silent anchor.
I remember dragging him to a data exhibition, a place that couldn’t have been further from his interests.
As I rushed from one stall to the next, gushing about the newest gadgets, he followed along quietly, nodding and listening.
He didn’t understand half of what I was saying, but he was there. And years later, I found out he had kept the brochure from one of the exhibits, the one I was especially fascinated by. It was a small gesture, but to me, it spoke volumes.
For years we have been taking our father’s friendship for granted.
After all, he is our father — he is supposed to be there. But as you grow older, you begin to see the friendship for what it truly is.
There are no conditions, no expectations, just a constant and unwavering presence :)
So, when was the last time you thought of your father as a friend?
In case we are meeting for the first time, come over here, it’ll be worth the roller coaster of articles that are gonna come up in the next few weeks.