I took my 5 year old daughter to Chick-fil-A Daddy Daughter Date Night this evening. We ate. We talked.

After our meal, she enjoyed a bowl of ice cream with M&Ms and Oreos on top.

As I patiently waited for her to enjoy her ice cream, I slowed down for a moment. I looked into her eyes and saw the wonder, the awe, the innocence, the excitement. I looked at her pretty dress, her painted nails, her beautiful smile.

For a moment, she was 15…and then 25. We were enjoying time together, talking about what young adult girls talk to their daddy about.

She was no longer a little girl. Our relationship was different, but still amazing. She was making life decisions and I was doing my best to love and encourage her.

Then…in an instant, we were back to this evening. I was watching my precious little girl finish her ice cream. I looked into her eyes and saw the wonder, the awe, the innocence and the excitement.

Soak it in, parents. It is only for a moment.