Dad life isn't easy. Single dad life certainly isn't easy.

Single dad life with two daughters is pretty much gold-medal material and probably the stuff nightmares are made of some days. Even in a house full of trust and open communication, there were always days where we wondered who would pull their hair out first: father or daughter. But through life, death, puberty, heartbreak, and all the ins and outs of parenthood, there was always a lesson learned whether I wanted to admit it or not.

So, dad, thank you for:

1. Being my parent first and my friend second.

Thank you for always giving me the freedom to figure out who I was and what I wanted in life, but also reminding me that there are always consequences for my actions.

2. All the beauty advice.

For example: "That eye makeup looks good, go wash off half of it and then you can leave the house."

3. Teaching me the essential lessons in life:

Checking oil, baiting a hook, and making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.

4. Supporting my decisions.

Even if you don't agree with them, and never hitting me with the "I told you so" when you end up being right...which is often.

5. Always knowing the perfect hangover remedy based on the level of misery I'm in.

6. Loving my mother in such a way that I learned to never settle for anything less than the treatment you gave her.

7. Passing on your colorful vocabulary, road rage tendencies, and phenomenal dance moves...

All of which can be used in the same situation when executed properly.

8. Raising, not one, but two daughters alone, through puberty, high school, college, and beyond, and still maintaining a sense of humor and some of the best gray hairs in history.

Yyou're welcome for roughly 80 percent of those.

9. "This is how you take someone out at the kneecaps."

10. Teaching me the most important lesson in my life: have respect, but stick to your guns.

Always stand up for what you think is right, no matter how many people think you're wrong.