I might be biased but I believe my dad is the best one in the world, I even bought him a beer stein with that on it and put the wrong year for my older brother's birthday. I love my dad regardless of the days when he makes me want to pull my hair out. I could write a list of 15 billion reasons why I appreciate my dad, but instead I will just give you 15.

1. Being the example for how men should treat you

My dad is a loving and very gentlemanly man. He never let me forget growing up that I am indeed his princess and that if anyone treats me as anything less than a lady, they would have an issue.

2. Laughing at your jokes even when they aren’t funny

I like to think that my puns are funny, but lets be rather honest are any puns funny? I think they are, and even if the joke is old or he has heard it before, he will pretend for me that it’s the first time hearing it and chuckle.

3. Giving you his sense of humor

I have taken the notion in life that laughter is the best medicine. My dad and I have a twisted sort of humor and I wholeheartedly believe all my sarcasm came from this man.

4. Being the rock in times of stress

Recently I have gotten more stress than usual being in a few classes that are not going as planned. My usual “daddy I’m so stressed I’m quitting school to become a hobo” phone call came early this semester. My dad always knows just the right words to say to make me remember that I’m going to excel in life because I can do it.

5. For putting up with your sass

I am not sure where my abundance of sassiness comes from but I sure do have my share and probably a few other people’s shares. Dear old padre has put up with it for 20 years now and I have a feeling for many more down the road. Now this isn’t to say that he doesn’t put me in my place if I get too sassy.

6. For letting you live out your dreams

I had the amazing opportunity to go work for the Walt Disney Company down in Orlando, FL last year. This opportunity while great did take me off track for graduating on time. Dad knowing this is a once in a life time type opportunity told me to go live my dream of working for Disney and to put school on an equally important side burner. I took online classes while down there and he helped me the whole way so I could succeed.

We took this picture when my family dropped me off for my Disney College Program January 2015.

7. The endless support

Throughout high school, I did color guard in the band. My dad came to every game he could in those three years and every meeting for my youth organizations he could manage. When I did indoor color guard he made sure he could come see me preform my solo at least once. My dad is truly my biggest cheerleader.

8. For being your chauffeur for at least 15 years of your life

I do not doubt that my dad likes to drive. Growing up we drove all around the country for various reasons and he never once let anyone else drive. I think he secretly cheered when I got that shiny piece of plastic with my name on it giving me permission to drive alone. However even five years later he is still the one who drives us everywhere we go as a family.

9. For pushing you to be the best version of yourself

Growing up my dad made sure I felt like I was special. No matter what he had going on, he checked my grades every morning after he read his stock report and made sure if I was struggling I got help. I was never allowed to give up on anything. This mentality he bestowed on me is truly one thing I can never thank him for enough.

10. For introducing you to almost all the geeky things you are into

Every night growing up we would eat dinner and watch a movie. Everyone had to watch the movie with the family until they finished eating. This is most likely the reason I love “Star Wars”, “Harry Potter”, and superheroes so much. We got to watch them as a family and he always knew the answers to my questions about why Darth Vader talked funny or why Bellatrix Lestrange was so mean.

11. For letting you use his credit card to refill your campus food money account

At my university all full times students pay for at least $135.00 worth of what we call “dining dollars.” I go through this allotted money in about a month if I’m lucky, and I totally blame Chick-fil-A for it. But my dad is gracious enough to give me more money to eat on campus and buy designated books for tests with the money he adds on later.

12. For always being one phone call away

Growing up seeing my dad almost every day I now realize was a luxury. I chose to go to a university six and a half hours away from my family. I call my dad if not everyday then every other day to ask a question, talk about my day, or remind him how clumsy I am when I fall down the stairs. No matter how my day goes 99 percent of the time gets better after talking to my dad.

13. For helping bring my amazing brothers into the world

I will be the first person to tell you my brothers are annoying. However that being said, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. My dad implanted values and gentlemanly morals into my brothers and I am forever thankful for that. Without these two I would have no idea how “Minecraft” or “WWE” wrestling work and most importantly how much I am loved.

14. For loving you just the way you are

Everyone has their flaws and I am blessed to have a family who embrace faults. My dad empowers us to love ourselves regardless of our flaws and to remember that you can always improve if you practice.

15. For not always agreeing with your choices but letting you make your own mistakes

It is a part of life to make mistakes and learn from them. I have made a few big mistakes in my life and my dad was always the first one I would call to cry about them to. Although dad doesn’t always see my point of view before I make the mistake he often can see the end result when I can’t.

Few in this lifetime get to have a dad like mine. I wouldn’t trade the man who comforts me when I have a nightmare, hugs me tighter when I leave after break, and who reminds me I will always be his little girl for anything ever. I’m proud to tell you my dad is my best friend.