A Round of Applause for All You Dedicated Cheer Dads Out There!

Remember that time you tried to braid my hair? Or tie my ribbon just right? Or the time mom couldn’t take me to competition, so it was up to you to pack my bag and make sure I had everything I needed to shine on my big day?

I do. And I’ll never forget it.

I know my four-piece uniform, bobby pins, lipstick, cheer shoes and lucky socks weren’t easy to keep up with, but you rallied. You made sure I was early, packed the night before, and had every hair in place before taking one step out of the house. And don’t think I didn’t know you watched that “ponytail how-to” video 10 times to be sure you had my hair styled correctly!

When you took me to meet my team, you glanced nervously from cheerleader to cheerleader to be sure my uniform was complete and performance-ready. You told me to “cheer loud” (even though I was just performing a dance routine) and built me up when I didn’t think I did my best. In your eyes, I was the most amazing cheerleader out there, no matter what skill I was (or wasn’t) performing. To you, I was the best. And that made me feel like I was on top of the world.

Hair, make-up and contouring may not be your forte. But being super-dad is. You made it happen, and made it work. I know I don’t say it enough, but thank you. Thank you a million times over for always being in the front row sporting that funky “CHEER DAD” shirt. I promise I wasn’t really embarrassed when you wore the bright-green wig and light-up glasses to my last competition. I was just… surprised… and my friends actually thought you were cool.

You’re my forever fan and most dedicated supporter. But today, the standing ovation belongs to you for not just being a great dad, but my biggest cheerleader.

Happy Father’s Day!