On Friday, my wonderful dad turns 65. He is truly one of the best people I know; he would climb mountains for me. I don't always know if he realizes how much I love him, so I wanted to do something special this year. So, in honor of my dad's birthday, here are 65 reasons why I appreciate him:
1. He spent thousands upon thousands to get full custody of my sister & I.
2. He isn’t sour because he spent thousands upon thousands to get full custody of us.
3. He made me read thirty minutes every night until I was in middle school.
4. He is one of the main reasons I love reading & became an English major.
5. He encouraged me to choose whatever career path I wanted, from lawyer to teacher.
6. He stands up for me.
7. He constantly tells me, “It’s your wedding.”
8. He taught me to change my oil, check the pressure in my tires & change a flat.
9. He trusted me to be his crew chief when he raced.
10. He took me to the racetrack.
11. He taught me to drive a stick shift when I was 12 (on the racetrack, in the pace car).
12. He has a sense of humor.
13. He treated me like an adult when I wasn't one.
14. He never talks down to me.
15. He expects great things from me.
16. He works harder than anyone I know.
17. He has a giving heart.
18. He loves helping others.
19. He is brutally honest.
20. He doesn't complain.
22. He took care of my fake baby sophomore year & took it seriously.
23. He isn't afraid to approach someone and start up a conversation.
24. He loves doggies.
25. The walls in his office are littered with photos of my sister & I (I'm talking 8x10 school picture day from every year, for both of us)
26. He occasionally sends me Starbucks & Panera gift cards in the mail.
27. He posts "Proud Dad Alerts" on Facebook when I do something awesome.
28. He picked me up from school on a four-wheeler, despite the PTA mom backlash.
29. He has beliefs and sticks to them.
30. He doesn't get mad when I say he looks like Santa.
31. He truly loves his mother.
32. He calls his mom every day, no matter what.
33. Family means everything to him.
34. He can cook a mean Christmas dinner (his twice-baked potatoes are the bomb).
35. He cooks very tasty Chicago chili.
36. He honestly can cook anything and it's amazing.
37. He is silly.
38. He is loyal.
39. He takes his role as a godparent seriously.
40. He taught me to ride a bike.
41. He got me to school on time everyday (a very underrated accomplishment).
42. He made me breakfast EVERY morning I was in school. Scrambled eggs & Eggo waffles.
43. He got me hooked on Frosted Flakes.
44. He let the 7 year old me drive the golf cart at the racetrack unsupervised (he had a lot of trust).
45. He never restricted what my sister and I read or watched (I think that contributes to our maturity).
46. He didn't shelter us (thank God).
47. He is conservative.
48. He wears the OSU sweatshirt I bought him.
49. He took me to his childhood home and showed me around his old stomping grounds.
51. He takes care of people.
52. He appreciates nature.
53. He likes my fiancé (well, he hasn't killed him yet).
54. He is paying for my college and my wedding (at the same time).
55. He allowed me to get engaged in high school.
56. He is allowing me to get married at 21.
57. He lets me make my own decisions.
58. He offers wedding advice.
59. He is a traditions man.
