It took me 22 years and a deployment in the military
To fully understand the true sacrifice of a hero called my daddy
You see, for most of my early childhood he was stuck on a submarine
Working his *** off to make the money so he could provide for me
It might be difficult to fathom that when he went underway
There was always a slight possibility that his absence might stay that way
But for me that was just normal, that was my status quo
It was just my daddy going to work 15,000 feet below
You can put miles between us but love knows no distance
Our hearts are never distant even though he wasn't present
And he may have missed a couple birthdays, had to tell me merry Christmas in a digital telegram
But I know that he had tears in his eyes his heart filled with pride when he first saw my sonogram
And I know the true meaning of American sacrifice
Because he would give his last breath if it meant I could peacefully sleep at night
He may not have always been there physically
But I still know he loved me
Because he was on the beach taking the blunt force of every wave
So they would never wash over me
As long as I'm dry I know he's always watching over me
It took me 22 years and a deployment in the military
To see that even though other kids had the luxury
Of a fathers love in the form of hugs and three word pleasantries
I realized I did too, my daddy just loved me a little differently