For a daughter, it can be tough and heart-breaking staying away from their father.

Irinieta Mackinlay (reigning Miss Nasinu 2019) resides with her father, Alan Mackinlay, in Melbourne, Aus­tralia.

However, she won’t be able to spend Father’s Day with him.

Ms Mackinlay is currently in Fiji. She is planning to return to Mel­bourne next Friday.

She said since she won’t be able to celebrate father’s day with her dad, she would enjoy a chat with him over the phone.

“My elder sister is with him in Australia so we count on her to make it an extra special day as they celebrate father’s day together,” she said.

She said her father loved coffee and photography.

“When I go back to him, I will prob­ably take him out for coffee and then go for a nice walk in the park where he can take photos of birds and na­ture,” she said.

Ms Mackinlay said her father was a simple man and he appreciated the thought more than the gift.

“And I know that he will enjoy a chat with his children and spend­ing the day with mother, my sister, grand kids and a great feed that my sister will provide him more than anything else.”

The 24-year-old said all fathers de­served to wake up every day to hugs and kisses.

“But there should be even more on Father’s Day: just to make it extra special.

She said the COVID-19 pandemic the importance of family relation­ships.

“This pandemic gave us a time to rethink and cherish every little mo­ment we can spend with our loved ones,” Ms Mackinlay added.

“Like many fathers who are special to their daughters, mine has proved to be a man of integrity, honesty and a true loving family man to his wife and seven children. I admire his in­telligence, great ideas, kind and giv­ing heart, and of course his Aussie sarcasm and humour.”

“The strong, driven, independent, exemplary young woman I am today is because I have a father who moti­vates, empowers and loves me.”

She said her father had always encouraged her to do things on her own, to strive and that nothing was impossible with hard work and de­termination.

“And probably why I believe that there’s no job too hard for a woman, but for as long as he lives, I will keep needing his words of wisdom, morn­ing hugs, great advice and funny jokes. I love you Dad, Happy Father’s Day,” she said.

Feedback: shreeya.verma@fijisun.com.fj