Just a simple "thank you" for all the things you were never asked to do. The things you truly wanted to do. So, thank you dad, thank you for being you. For that, I am forever grateful.

Dear Dad,

I hate that I have to keep this pretty short and simple, because you deserve a 1,000 page book that explains nothing but just how thankful I am for a daddy like you. I pray that every little girl and boy in this crazy world gets the chance to have someone like you in their life. Whether it be a dad or not, everyone deserves a person that is at least half as great as you are.

Thank you for encouraging me: Without your constant encouragement, I don't know where I would be today. You've been one of my biggest fans since the day I was born, and I could never thank you enough for that. You've taught me the true meaning of "put your best foot forward" because that is what your grandma used to tell you every day. You've always believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. You have never once told me that I couldn't do something because it was "too far out of reach." Instead, you have always made sure to inform me that anything is possible. You helped me make one of my biggest dreams become a reality. Which of course was being a student at Louisiana State University. When people kept telling me that LSU is hard and that I wouldn't like it, or that I would have to pick up a book for the first time in my life, the only words that ever came out of your mouth were, "You can do it." Thank you, Dad. Thank you for those encouraging words because they led me to finishing my first year at LSU with one of the best GPAs I have ever earned. I hope every girl and guy has a person like you in their life to encourage them through things that often seem impossible. Especially when others are trying to bring them down.

Thank you for providing for me: Although I wish you didn't have to work and we could just hang out together all day when I am home for the summer, I'm thankful that you have so much dedication towards your job and family that you are the first one to wake up every morning with very little complaints so you can put food on the table, clothes on our bodies and a roof over our heads. You have never made me or my brother go without, no matter what. Even the things we sometimes want that seem so stupid and pointless, you and Mom always make sure we have them. No matter how old we get, I know you and Mom will always be there for us. Thank you.

Thank you for teaching me how to be tough: I constantly catch myself missing my motocross days. Those were some of my toughest days that will forever be missed. I remember my brother's first race because the next day I begged you to get me a dirt bike so I could be just like him. It wasn't long after that I had one of my own. Those days are what made me so tough and the person I am today. I never once stayed down or cried about any situation that came with this sport I loved so much. It's no secret that you probably thought I wouldn't be that great at it because I was an 8-year-old little girl that only enjoyed cheerleading. I mean, what cheerleader likes dirt bikes?! I recall being scared for my life the first time I ever got on that track. But I also recall you saying, "Just do it. Don't be a baby about it. You'll be all right." After weeks of practicing and many wrecks, you finally allowed me to race and be a part of a series. Remember the many times I flew over the handlebars and was already back up and going before you could even come see if I was alright?! Remember the championship I won?! It's all because of you. Even though I'm a girl, you never treated me like there were things too far out of my range of ability. You never made me feel as small as I was. Instead, you believed in me. I improved and excelled, I never doubted or second-guessed myself because you always led me to believe that there wasn't anything I couldn't accomplish. No matter what I wanted to do, you always told me I could. And so I did.

Most importantly,

Thank you for allowing me to grow up: Thank you for letting me go off to that school I dreamed of attending. I know you hated move-in day. You hated the whole summer before I even left. After 19 years, I was no longer the first person you saw when you got off work. Instead, I was the first person you called. You asked me 98,378 times a day if this is what I really wanted to do before I moved four hours away to the great city of Baton Rouge. I know in the back of your mind you were hoping I would say no, but you never discouraged me or tried to change my mind. Even though we both never admitted it, it's pretty obvious we were a bit scared at first. I have now completed my first year at LSU as a sophomore and I'm happy to say I didn't let you down when you told me I would take the world by storm. If it wasn't for you and all the times you told Mom that it would be all right, I probably would have never been able to go. I felt as if I had no future in the tiny town of Monroe and would never grow up and be on my own. I knew I was forced to grow up the day I moved and that is a huge part of why I made the decision of moving away. Thank you for allowing that to happen, no matter how bad you didn't really want it to. Thank you for understanding that my big town dreams would never come true in my hometown.

To simplify all of this, you have always been an immense figure in my life. You have always been an inspiration, and that will never change. You are a great example for me to stay focused and to never quit. I can say without a doubt that I am where I am today because of you.

Your favorite daughter,

Brooke