Watch the video above to see one father’s emotional reaction to his long-awaited baby daughter

National Daughters Day was first celebrated in India, where daughters were often less valued than sons and therefore received less attention. It was adopted in the US in the early 2000s to honor the unique bond between parents and their daughters.

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Ways to mark the day include:

• Spend quality time together. Go shopping, plan a dinner, go for a walk. As long as your daughter is the focus, any activity is time well spent.
• Show your gratitude by letting your daughter know how much she loves you and cherishes her. A simple “I love you” or perhaps a small gift can show her how you feel.
• Have a conversation. Family life can sometimes be so busy that it’s hard to find time to really talk. So take some time to make up for that by chatting with your daughter and sharing stories and memories of your time together.
• Empower your daughter. Encourage her to pursue her dreams, explore her interests, and believe in herself so she can reach her full potential.