To show their father their new gowns, girls go to his tomb. They discover two boxes bearing their names 
Paul’s voice was gentle and hopeful as he whispered, “I want my daughters to be the most beautiful girls in the world for my birthday.”
“I’m very interested in what they’ll be wearing. Girls, swear to me you’ll come show me your lovely gowns. You’ll look stunning, even if I can’t be with you that day.
His last words were… A modest, loving, yet enduring wish.
The two sisters meticulously selected their attire for the day, each of which was an homage to their cherished father.
With their mother Monique at their side, they silently strolled hand in hand toward his grave.
However, there was a surprise in store for them.
The two carefully wrapped boxes were placed gently in front of the tombstone.
Each had a small heart-shaped sticker and their name scribbled on it.
Overwhelmed, they exchanged glances.
— “Mom Did you do this yourself? In a whisper, the older girl said.
With tears in her eyes, Monique shook her head.
— “No, my sweethearts… I promise.
A handwritten message on each box said:
“Dad, to my princess, whom I will always love.”
The girls were astonished when they opened the boxes.
When girls go to their father’s grave to “show” him their new outfits, they find two boxes labeled with their names.
Two little girls go to their father’s grave on his birthday to show him their lovely attire in observance of his final request. They find two tenderly wrapped boxes with their names on them next to the gravestone, along with a heartfelt inscription.
Mariana, age 8, and Iris, age 6, were very affected by their father Paul’s absence.
Since his death, they have stopped planning to playfully torment their mother or sneaking cookies or ice cream from the kitchen at night. Joy had diminished without their father.
“Paul, you spoil these girls too much!” As Monique used to say.
When I reprimand them, you constantly defend them—they’re stealing cookies from the cupboard!
“I can’t resist, they’re so cute!” Paul would respond. “I apologize, love—you are aware of my love for you, aren’t you?”
Paul was always attempting to maintain equilibrium. A man who loves his family dearly. However, when he left, everything was different. Monique found it difficult to deal with the emptiness he left behind, and Iris and Mariana become extremely silent.
It hurt to remember her last moments with Paul. Helpless, she had seen him disappear before her eyes. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, his death came swiftly after his diagnosis.
One night he died quietly while sleeping.
He had requested that the girls come see him at the hospital the previous evening and be by his side till the very end. He must have known that night would be his last with them. He also requested a private conversation with them.
I’m excited to see what my girls will wear, and I want them to look their best on my birthday. Are you going to come show me your lovely clothes? Even though I might not be present that day, you will look stunning, I assure you.
That night, those were his final words.
Monique was heartbroken when he refused to come back. She tried everything, but she was unable to find tranquility. In their innocence, the girls were demonstrating greater fortitude than she was. She couldn’t face the idea of him being buried underground, so the funeral had been particularly challenging.
The girls requested their mother to take them shopping the day before his birthday. They wished to fulfill their father’s final request.
“Daddy adored my pink dress, Mom,” remarked little Iris. The one he gave me for my birthday is no longer a fit. Therefore, I would like a new one in the same hue.
“Mom, can you help me choose one?” Mariana went on. “I wish for it to be Daddy’s preferred hue.”
“I… Girls, I don’t think I’m cut out for it. Monique answered in a heartbroken tone. She wasn’t prepared for a happy excursion.
Iris argued, “But we have to go see Daddy.”
“And for his birthday, he requested that we dress beautifully.”
Tears clouded Monique’s eyes. She had forgotten Paul’s birthday because she was so overcome with grief.
She said, “He told you that.”
Yes, on his birthday, Daddy asked us to wear lovely outfits. Iris said, “Mom, we must go see him. “We have to go shopping, so hurry up!”
“When was that said by him?” Startled, Monique inquired. “I had no idea… I had no idea he had told you that.
Mariana clarified, “The last night we were with him, Mom.” Holding our hands, he expressed his desire to see us dressed well that day. I believe we must do it for him. Will you take us, even though I know you’re sad?
Then she leaned in to whisper in her mother’s ear:
We must do this for Iris, even though I know you miss Daddy. She truly wants to dress up for him in a pink dress.
Mariana had always been a perceptive youngster.
She had an understanding that most children her age did not.
She eventually persuaded her mother.
“All right,” Monique responded. Girls, let’s go shopping! Let’s search for the most exquisite gowns for Daddy’s birthday!
Mariana pleaded, “Mom, don’t be depressed.”
The sisters put on their new clothes and walked hand in hand to Paul’s cemetery on his birthday.
They found a note from Paul and two exquisitely wrapped boxes with their names on them when they got to the tombstone.
“Mom!” Iris looked at Monique and yelled. “Look, we got gifts from Daddy! Is he unaware that we are expected to provide him with a gift? His birthday is today! She laughed sweetly and innocently.
“Maybe he thought it was a good idea, Iris. “Go ahead, girls—open your boxes,” Monique replied.
Monique refrained from crying as the girls opened their presents.
Mariana wept for the first time since their father’s passing, and Iris grinned broadly.
Each box contained a note from Paul to his girls as well as a lovely pair of shoes.
“Shoes!” Iris cried out. “Mom, they look so beautiful! Pink is my fave color!
Paul’s Letter:
“Your beauty has some angels up here in awe! They claim that you are the most gorgeous girl that God has ever made. Daddy wanted you to wear these lovely shoes because he thinks you look stunning in your clothes. I hope you enjoy them.
I want you to continue being the energetic girls you were when Mom chased you about and you sneaked cookies. I’d like to hear your pleasant stories the next time you’re here.
I want you to smile and be happy every day. You should know that I’m in a great place and that I see and watch over you from there.
My dear girls, I appreciate you coming to wish me a happy birthday. Daddy adores you unconditionally.
Mariana gave her younger sister a firm hug when she had finished reading the letter out loud.
Thanking her mother for bringing them, she turned to face her.
Knowing that their beloved father and husband will always be at their side, the three of them held hands while sensing his loving presence all around them.
With a grin on her face and a whisper, “I love you both so much,” Monique felt a soft warmth that eased her suffering and gave her the willpower to continue living without Paul.
