Name: Yuri Johnson City: Dallas, TX | @Yoplies_johnson

Dad’s Name: Ricky Butler

Describe your relationship with your Father and how did that impact you?

My daddy is literally my best friend. I’m his only and he’s my only so we are TIGHT! He always lifted me up, let me know my worth and made it clear that I never had to find my worth in any one, particularly a man. He always dropped knowledge every chance he got and never let a day go by without me knowing how much he loved me.

What’s the best thing you’ve learned from your Father?

The best thing I’ve learned is what it means to be loved selflessly and love selflessly. So naturally when I found my husband and it felt like that selfless, “love you through anything love”, I knew I had something.

What struggles did you face in your relationship with your Dad and how did you get through them?

I would say when I entered my late teens-early twenties, I thought I knew everything. So I didn’t really take heed to some of his advice and it came back to bite me. We got through them by communicating our differences and I became a mother, everything he would preach to me made so much more sense.

What has your relationship with your Father taught you about what to look/not look for in your partner?

Our relationship taught me to never settle for anything less than extraordinary in a relationship because I got the luxury of experiencing love and respect from my father. I always looked for certain qualities that I loved about my dad in my partner.

How has your relationship with your Father shaped the woman you are today?

It has made me strong and just sure of myself. Like no one can tell me who I am because I know who I am and I’m confident in that.

If you could write a short letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?

Dear Father,
Thank you for always loving me through all of my phases and versions of myself. You were my first example of love from a man and your lessons are things I will teach my own daughter. I can only hope you know how much I love and appreciate everything you’ve done for me and what you continue to do for my family. I love you!