I am my Father’s Daughter
October 16, 2024
Writer: Allie Perlman
Editor: Caroline Grin
My dad picks the song I wake up to every morning. His favorite band has been Pearl Jam for as long as I can remember, and their songs are often peppered into the rotation of music that serves as my alarm. My dad takes this duty very seriously and often sets the alarm when I am not around, so the song of the day is a surprise. One morning, the song was “My Father’s Daughter” by Olivia Vedder, daughter of Pearl Jam’s lead singer. The song chronicles the bond between father and daughter, highlighting the father’s influence on his daughter.
My dad is a man of many quirks—he loves going to Costco alone, eating rotisserie chicken with plastic gloves to avoid getting his hands dirty, serving fruit with paper cutlery, and frequently asking people their shoe sizes. As a child, I was mortified by these eccentricities, often trying to hide myself from the situation. I have vivid memories of covering my face with my hands while speeding away. Throughout my life, my dad has been unapologetically himself. I, on the other hand, was desperate to fit in at all costs, constantly hiding the things that made me unique.
After being introduced to the song “My Father’s Daughter” as my alarm, I quickly added it to my Spotify playlists, and found myself listening to the song on repeat. My favorite lines are: “And I'm right behind you/There's a light, there's a light/That shines wherever you go.”My dad may not fit the typical image of a beacon of light—he’s sarcastic, independent, and often vocal about his dislike for most people. You’ll usually find him in a corner at events rather than mingling. Still, he’s always been a source of light in my life, a light that comes from his quirks and his insistence on being himself.
My dad’s quirks, no matter how strange, are his way of showing the people in his life that he cares. He has taught me that not only is it okay to be a bit different, but that others will actually appreciate these quirks, as it is what makes you unique. Every day I see more of my dad in myself. When I first met my roommate, I found myself asking her shoe size—definitely a unique icebreaker! I will always be my father’s daughter, and I couldn’t be prouder of that.
Image: Julia Bonanno
