Despite her father's ban, she wrote a column about him

Dutch columnist Elieve penned an ironic piece breaking the ban imposed by her father, despite him telling her, 'Do not write columns about me anymore.' Starting the text by saying, 'Let the subject of my column be my father,' she shares her complex yet entertaining relationship with her father with her readers. This situation reveals not only the writer's rebellious sense of humor but also the deep bond between father and daughter. While portraying a daughter who constantly seeks her father's approval and appreciation, Elieve explains this situation in an extremely sincere tone. This heartfelt confession of the writer allows many people to recognize similar dynamics in their own family relationships.

At the center of the article are striking anecdotes about her father's rigid and emotionless demeanor at the office. Elieve states that she tried everything to win her father's approval at work, from carrying heavy boxes to leaving affectionate notes on his desk. She even recounts receiving an arrogant reaction from her father, such as 'This is not a fashion show,' for the stylish Mugler suit she wore to attend a court case. The writer expresses with disappointment that all these and similar desperate efforts went unreciprocated by her father. However, this narrative style gives the reader clues that no matter how tough the father may seem, there is actually a complex nature lying deep within his character.

The father's distant attitude towards his daughter's music career also constitutes a significant part of the story. Elieve confesses that her father always remained skeptical about music because she completely forgot the lyrics during her first stage performance in high school. However, years later, things change when she gets the opportunity to share the stage with Turkish music legend Selda Bağcan. After this massive concert, relatives, friends, and even her father's Mercedes dealer calling him to say how well his daughter performed puts the man in a tight spot. The father telling his daughter 'You are quite Skillful' in the office the next morning means the greatest triumph of Elieve's life.

This rare moment of praise instantly lifts the weight of years off the writer's shoulders, sweeping her into a wave of euphoria. Elieve confesses that the moment she heard that sentence from her father, she immediately indulged in luxury spending to celebrate. Planning a weekday dinner at the Netherlands' famous three-star restaurant De Librije and thoughtlessly buying the expensive Miu Miu boots that had been sitting in her shopping cart for weeks become part of this celebration. In fact, under the influence of that happiness, she even makes a joke out of preferring Stephen King, who offers easy and entertaining reads, over Albert Camus, who questions the meaning of life. All this exaggerated celebration ritual reveals how starved a person can be for a small word of appreciation, especially from their father.

Nevertheless, for Elieve, the truly unforgettable moment and greatest source of pride is the unparalleled feeling of taking the stage with Selda Bağcan, rather than the words of appreciation she heard from her father. Remembering the days years ago when she listened to and analyzed Selda Bağcan's lyrics in her attic, the writer marvels at how time brought them together on the same stage. This stage experience becomes a symbol of personal passion and the power of music, far beyond her father's approval or any external motivation. This inner peace and pride leave a much deeper and more lasting mark on the writer's heart compared to the temporary euphoria created by her father's praise. The column concludes by emphasizing that beyond familial expectations, the ultimate triumph lies in the self-confidence brought by one's own achievements and dreams.