Daddy issues

What it means to date a girl without a father:  
It will not seem different at first, you will joke and share silly stories, laugh louder than anticipated, you'll get drunk off of fingertips and innocent touches, like when her fingers linger a bit longer around your waist.
She'll kiss you like you're the first person her lips have ever touched, she will do what she can to keep things fun and exciting, she NEEDS light, exciting, because she's all too aware of the possible darkness looming overhead.
She'll be careful with her words, you'll notice she never says "parents" and looks away when ever someone mentions the word father.  
She doesn't flinch when someone asks about her family. She has the story memorized. You may begin to wonder how many times she's regurgitated the same lines over and over. Her voice never breaks, her gaze never falters, cool as ice. You may wonder if there was ever a time she didn't spill out the same story over and over, how she could handle her grief so easily, if you can handle being with someone so guarded. She will share small moments with you that seem so insignificant, yet mean so much to her, because she is starting to TRUST you. She will ask to be held one night, although she's ever asked to be held before. Do not underestimate this, this is her lowering the shield she's spent years crafting.
She will shy away from arguments, leaving you baffled, how can someone so full of opinions and feisty can go mute when confrontation approaches. She is in flight when you were sure she'd fight.  
You get too close, things get too real, and she runs. She's always wearing tennis shoes just in case.
 
Here's the truth:
It's not surprising that conflict makes her skin crawl and blood simmer.  It's not surprising that she will overthink every word to make sure she doesn't cause tension between her and her lover, because people can fucking leave. And that is the most terrifying thing she's had to experience. If the only man she ever needed left when she was not done needing him, then it's fair game for anyone else to decide if it's not worth it.
If SHE'S not worth it.
But none of this will spill out easy, she doesn't want labels, she hates labels.
The one with abandonment issues, the one who keeps her distance, the one looking to fill a void, the girl without a father despite him being still alive. She doesn't want your pity.  
If you date a girl without a father, please understand that you will not always understand.  
And if you love her, stay, show her, let her know, her cold exterior is for protection, it's not because she doesn't love you, it's because she's afraid you won't love her.