Life doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with a dad. These are the heartfelt words that come to mind when Vernace Wambua thinks of her father, Julius Munyao. This young lady regards her father as her hero and guardian angel, a divine gift from above. She sees him as her to-go-to person, or as she describes it, her ‘home button’. When things seem to be falling apart, her father is always there for her, serving as her security blanket.

The importance of Vernace’s father cannot be neglected or ignored. He is her superhero, always ready to tackle the everyday troubles she encounters; and even goes the extra mile to adjust his schedule just to pick up his daughter from school. For as long as Vernace can remember, her father has always provided the best for her. He has given her the best education he could afford and provided a comfortable home and lifestyle that she could only dream of.

Their shared affinity for Mercedes-Benz cars speaks volumes about the depth of their connection. Their journey is filled with an abundance of shared memories, from those early walking classes as a toddler to the bittersweet moments of being dropped off at kindergarten. Their laughter-filled car rides and shared amusements over memes during university pick-ups have made their journey truly remarkable. She describes her father as the funniest person she has ever encountered, effortlessly brightening her day with his presence; a big-hearted teddy bear who fills her life with warmth and love.

“I am the person I am today because of my father,” Vernace reflects. “His unconditional love has shown me that every daughter needs a dad. He has been there to pick me up when I fell and hold my hand when I lost my sense of direction.  His ability to balance his firmness and allowing me room for self-expression has molded me into the diligent, self-reliant, and accountable individual I am today,” Vernace fondly admits.

On this particular day, Vernace celebrates her dad for having served as an unwavering pillar of support, love, and guidance in her life, how his love has given her an identity, and how he has beautifully exemplified the irreplaceable role of a father in his daughter’s journey.

Raise a glass to all the dads out there!

This article has been written by Faith Katumbi.

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