Father's Day Special | What Is My Father Like?
Jun 20, 2021
Peking University, June 20, 2021: In continuation of our Mother's Day series, we welcome Father's Day this Sunday! Today is the day where we celebrate our father's love for us, and show our appreciation towards our fathers or the father figures in our lives.
This Father's Day, Pekingers around the world would like to share their stories involving the father figures in their lives.
We hope you enjoy their stories! What is your story with your father like?
Singapore | Rao Haiting
Happy Father's Day!! Throughout the past 20 years of my life, I think my father has always been a guiding stone and a pillar of strength in many of my milestones in life. It's the greatest type of comfort, knowing that there will always be someone supporting you behind your back.
He has also been very helpful in supporting me and my brother academically throughout school life. Even though I haven't been able to go back to Peking University in person since early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the benefits is being able to spend more quality time with family and friends. Family outings, meals and movie nights became more common and it continues to create precious memories for all of us.
I have fond memories of going on trips and having deep conversations with my father, where we talk about anything and everything. He is a good listener and I'm always at ease around him. Due to covid restrictions, we haven't been able to travel together since 2018, so hopefully the covid situation will improve soon and we will get the chance to travel together.
I'm always thankful for him and he will continue to be an important anchor in my life. Thank you and Happy Father's Day!
Malaysia | Quah Sik Meng
Throughout my 21 years of life, my dad has never stopped supporting me. He takes on all the pressure without complaint, just to give us the best. It is not easy, especially when our family was in a super difficult position. Hence, the gift we treasure most from him is not any material possession, but his priceless warrior spirit. He always had the strongest heart to deal with external difficulties, but came home to treat us gently.
My dad always said that boys should talk less and do more. So I should keep my words short. I will prove by my actions that I am no worse than you. I will let you always be proud of me.
I love you dad!
Malaysia | Heng Xuan Ming
Dear D,
Thank you for always being by my side, whenever I had just misbehaved or if I needed advice, though I noticed you're more excited when it comes to Mahjong techniques and linking em to real-life application. You're more than just a dad but also a friend that I can talk to. Thank you for putting up with me and my stubbornness. Most of the times it's just goofy actions but sorry for the times it went too far.
Thank you for being so generous, spoiling me with your love, taking me on vacation and having so much fun, though I still remember your promise to bring me to Disneyland back when I was 12. (Tik-tok goes the clock). I didn't choose you to be my father, but fate (and mom) brought us together, and I'm glad to be who I am today. I wished to be someone you're proud of and less worried about——I knew it when you act too anxious than me when you keep asking if my allowances are enough and if I had done packing ONE month prior my date coming back home from Beijing.
Being a dad is like having a full time job without getting paid. Glad you've shown me what a cool dad looks like. Even though the epidemic locked us in, I am secretly happy that I get to spend more time with my family and get to have our leisure Mahjong time together, well, more on the playing Mahjong side.
Shoutout to all the great fathers out there, and wishing you all a great father's day!
Poem by Estella Zhang Qiming
Estella Zhang Qiming is currently a Year Two undergraduate student studying at PKU Guanghua School of Management and majoring in Marketing.
Writer: Heng Xuan Ming, Quah Sik Meng, Rao Haiting
Editor: Estella Zhang Qiming, Li Wanqi
Graphic Designer: Tan Yong Seng
Designer: Pu Hairui
