Our oldest son, Samuel, is 12. In the past several months he has been growing and trying new things to develop his own personality. He has a friend he really enjoys being around. When they're together they laugh and act silly just like twelve year old boys ought to do. I know Sam admires his friend, Ben, because he picks up little habits from him. A few months ago Sam started calling his father, Dad, instead of Daddy. I think he learned this from Ben.

I didn't consider it a big serious deal but my husband, Danny, after it had happened several times started telling Samuel he preferred to be called Daddy. Samuel would reply that it sounded babyish. Then Danny would stop what he was doing and explain. Danny remembered several times in the past when a daughter or son would be talking to their father and without even thinking they would say Daddy. Then he told Sam how the word Daddy sounded more caring than just Dad. Even though there is just a two letter difference. I knew this was an important issue. So I would help encourage Samuel also. Samuel would listen but without any concern he would still use the word Dad.

About a year and a half after Danny and I were married we had our first child, Sam. While we dated Danny told me he wanted to name our firstborn son, Samuel Levi. He also told me when I was pregnant that he was glad we would have our first child by his 30th birthday. It was an unspoken desire that God had granted him. Even though Danny said Samuel looked like an alien at birth (because he had a pointed head). I knew he had a sweet peace that he finally had begun the family he always wanted.

Danny is not someone who demands sentimentality. It doesn't bother him to not hear the words "I love you." or other kind terms of endearment. I think it's all paraphrased in the word, "Daddy". He liked that I called my father Daddy even though he would just call his Dad. It also bothers Danny that what Samuel says has already started to influence his little brothers.

My husband definitely deserves the honor of being called Daddy. He has the opportunity to be around Sam and our other 3 children almost 24/7. Samuel and Danny do lots of things together. We always eat our meals together. Danny works with him on his schoolwork. They even talk about personal things. If there's a theological question Samuel has, Danny is there with the best answer. And on Monday nights Danny takes all our children to karate class.

Once again today, Danny and I had another conversation about why the word Daddy is important. We made it lengthy and I even tried to make a passionate plea. Samuel replied that he sometimes says Daddy now. But a few minutes later as he casually talked about the computer part he was cleaning he said Dad as if he didn't even notice what he had just said.

I think Samuel is trying to figure out the balance of not sounding like a baby and giving his father the simple gift of honor he deserves. Maybe we need to get a bumper sticker or picture frame that says has the sweet saying, "Anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a Daddy."