How much does our parents unconditional support affects our life as adults?

I met the most self-confident and fun 80 y.o. woman recently. At some point she was sharing memories and spoke in the most glowing terms about her relationship with her father. Something she‘s said really stuck with me:

1. Her father was always interested in spending time with her and they were doing things together a lot

2. He also told her never to be afraid to speak her mind. “People might not agree with you, but who cares. Just be yourself and we people like you - great! If they don’t - well, it doesn’t matter. At least you are true to yourself.”

Both of these points just about stopped me in my tracks. My father had NEVER initiated any kind of activity to do together with me. I don’t remember a single time he’d suggested going somewhere together, not even going out for an ice cream. At best he would just ignore me and at worst, make sarcastic remarks, like for example, when I wiped my face off after a relative has given me a sloppy kiss, my father said “wow, you’re so touchy - how are you going to kiss men when you grow up?”

I cannot even imagine what’s it’s like to grow up with a father who adores and supports you unconditionally, shows an interest in you, tells you that you are perfect just as you are.