Everything But The Weed

Approved by:
Linda Maze, a Wedding photography Gainesville FL in Gainesville Florida

THE “HELLO DADDY” STORY
As a parent I wanted to share with you today the story  behind one of my songs titled, Hello Daddy. I believe its a song that works anytime of the year (especially if you’re a parent) but many of my friends have told me they especially think of it as one of their favorite  fathers day songs.

My name is Patrick Newberry. I live in Tampa, Florida. I’m just a normal guy, parent of three, I run a small business and occasionally I write music in my personal time.

Late one Wednesday eve back in 2004, after feeding my children dinner, and while my wife was away at church for a few minutes, I sat down at the piano for a few minutes of “quality” me time. The kids were in their bedrooms, each somewhere between playing with toys and getting prepared for bed.

As I was really geting into my personal moments on the piano, my youngest daughter Holly came out and asked me, with the most adorable little hug, “hello daddy, umm could you please come and say my prayers with me?”

Trust me, I stopped right then and there and… piano time, was officially finished.

So we headed to her bedroom and knelt down by the bed and whispered our nightly prayers.

I tucked little Holly in and was about to get back to my “quality” alone time when that all to adorable voice said softly…daddy please don’t go anywhere…couldn’t you please stay daddy, for just a little bit longer?

I recall laying on the floor, holding their small hands or occasionally they would just want to hang on to one of my fingers. I think the point was we had to be connected in some way. Never the less, eventually after enough banter or story telling they would soon drift off to the land of dreams and I could make my quiet exit.

As I recall it took a few minutes to get Holly to fall a sleep that evening but before long she did and I knew that if I was going to have any more “quality” alone time, it would be with a very quite melody.

So here I am about to get back to the piano…I had many thoughts running through my mind at the moment. My other daughter (who was 12 at the time) was slowly loosing that desire to have dad tuck her into bed and was asking me in less and less to say her bed time prayers.

I couldn’t help but think it wouldn’t be long and my little Holly would soon stop asking this of me as well. Then before I know it, they will all 3 be headed out the front door, walking into their own world as adults. My oldest daughter turned 18 this week, my son is 17 this year, so it’s all coming into sharp focus, even today more than ever.

So I sat down at the piano and about 30 minutes later–I was of course pushing away the tears as I was writing down the verses and I finished writing this song. Today I share  it with you and I hope you like listening to what I titled, Hello Daddy.

I dedicate it to all the moms and dads out there who have ever knelt down next to their child’s bed, to say that little bed time prayer that helps then fall to sleep.

Please let me me know if you enjoy it. You can find it on YouTube by clicking any of the links in this article. Once you are on my YouTube channel you will find it labeled as a Songs for Dads. It only requires  one click to POST on facebook with all of the other parents that you know, who may also enjoy this song. Thanks for your help in passing it along and also if you stop by YouTube be sure to leave a comment or two… I would love to read your family bedtime story as well.

Sincerely,

Patrick Newberry (Proud dad to 3 beautiful children, Kara, Michael & Holly)
Tampa, FL