There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a daddy's girl. Growing up, I have always been close to my dad. There's something about the bond between a father and his daughter that no one can explain. My childhood differed slightly from other girls' in the fact that my daddy is 41 years older than me. Regardless of age, nothing stopped him from being the incredible man that I need in my life. From the many memories I share with my dad, there are several things he taught me:

1. Don't ever depend on a man.

When I was younger, and even to this day, it's hard for me to wrap my head around why he always tells me this. My dad is so persistent on me graduating college and making a career path for myself so that I never have to depend on a man for financial support. Even though that's very much what I intend to do, I still can't help but compare other men to him. After all, my mother has depended on him for the last 44 years.

2. Shoot first, ask questions later.

Okay liberal nuts, don't freak out. My daddy taught me how to use a gun, as well as gave me one to keep in my own home in case someone dares to intrude. He always taught me to shoot first and ask questions later. As we all know, it only takes one second and then someone is dead. I'd rather it not be me. (Note: The only time I ever will intend on shooting someone is if my life is in immediate danger, or if I have reason to believe that it is.)

3. Boys only want one thing, men want your heart.

He knows. He was once a young lad himself. So maybe he never added the "men want your heart" part, but I get what he was saying. That's how you can distinguish a man from a boy. If he's only after the candy in the wrapper, then he's a boy. Wait for the man that will value you as a person, not an object. Or just don't date at all, that's what my dad would prefer. (haha)

4. I deserve to be spoiled.

Daddy always taught me that I deserve better. No man will ever be good enough for me in his eyes. I deserve a man that is going to put God first, and then me over anything else. When a man gets married, he leaves his parents and joins as one with his wife. His wife becomes his family. I deserve a man that will fight for me and stand up for me when anyone puts me down. I deserve a man that will chase me, instead of me having to chase him down for attention. I deserve a man that will give me the world, while only settling for a rock for himself. I deserve that.

5. It's okay to make mistakes. It's not okay to never learn from them.

Everyone makes mistakes. Some mistakes are worse than others. When you make a mistake, you should always learn from it and never make the same mistake again. This can go with a lot of things: financial mistakes, moral mistakes, dating mistakes, etc. My dad had always been hard on me growing up. He feared the mistakes that I would make. When I made mistakes, he would punish me. That's what makes him a great father. If someone loves you, they will always hold you accountable.

6. Life is unfair.

This one he would always tell me the most when I would be complaining over having to do the dishes. I eventually grew up to know that he was right. Life is unfair. When you're paying for your bills, putting gas in your truck, people that have done you wrong are going unpunished, life is unfair. Get over it. You have to take what you have and make do. We're not entitled to anything.

My daddy is such a great man. He has always been a hard worker and put the needs of his family over his own. I love him so much, and I'm incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful example in my life.