Many of us are blessed to be born to a couple of wonderful parents who have nothing but good intentions for their children and for the world. Dads don't get a lot of love for what they do, but the things they do are also very meaningful and important. Here are five reasons to appreciate Dad

1. He's your only dad.

There's only one couple that you're born to, and he's one of the two people. There is no one like him. The saying goes, "No two fingerprints are the exact same", but also, no two dads are the exact same, even if they approach things the same way. Dad has one of the most special presences in your life, and in the end, it all adds up to some of the best learning moments, reality checks, life advice, and more.

2. He protects you.

Dad is truly one of your best friends. Protection comes in a number of different ways, specifically from dangerous activities such as drinking or smoking, from bullies who try to peer pressure, and make sure your life is safe. He'll ask you questions about how you're doing, how school is, and he'll be there for you when times are rough. He'll tell you that what you do has so much learning and growth potential.

3. He has expectations for you and also believes in them.

He challenges you because he cares. He challenges you because he wants you to expect more for yourself. He challenges you because he thinks you CAN DO IT. He wouldn't do anything to you that he thinks is too tough or unreasonable. Even if it's seemingly too tough at the start, he still expects you to do it because he believes that over time you will be able to. He has overcome many challenges himself and he got to this point since he believed in himself and didn't give up.

4. He'll do errands and cook.

Dads don't get enough credit for doing things that Mom does as well. Yes, mom is known for doing it more often, but Dad pitches in and tries to help even if wifey doesn't need hubby in that moment. He'll do his due in the house with chores, laundry, and cleaning, as well as cook. It's not just one parent's duty to fulfill the chores and for the other to be lazy, and dad is very aware of that. He'll do his share with mom and show that he is, in fact, a great dad.

5. He's your role model.

Children learn from their dad just like they learn from their mom. The mantra goes, "Like Father, Like Son" and even "Like Father, Like Daughter" also rings true. Pop's demeanor, life experience, and approach, rubs off on their son in a great manner and reminds him of what he can be. Dad is the first teacher, before you even go to school for the first time. He'll teach you how to talk, eat, and have good manners, and he'll do the dirty work too. Dad shows you what you'll need to do at an earlier age before it's time for you to be living on your own officially. He'll give you the learning moments, the memories, reality checks, and life advice. When necessary, he'll put you in your place and be real with you, but he'll tell you what you need to know, tell you what you're doing well in or what you can work on, and he'll keep in touch with you. He'll be with you every step of the way.

Dad will prove to be the most important figure in your life because of his approach to life, his experience, heart, dedication, teaching, and belief do so much and he deserves credit for it. Dad teaches you in the development from a beautiful baby into a handsome man or beautiful woman with the opportunity to make it big. He is always here to help when you run into a block and fall flat on your face, when you feel like it's too hard to keep pushing, and he'll show that he believes you can do what you want to do, whether it's the immediate or distant future.