To My Dad,

I have been thinking about all of the good memories we have shared throughout my life. Skipping rocks on the lake, planting trees, baking during Christmas time, sledding in the winter. All of these things make me realize how lucky I am to have been blessed with an amazing family who loves me. There are so many things I wish to tell you as I am writing this to you today, here are just a few.

I know how hard it must have been to raise two daughters and sometimes not knowing what to do at times. Now that I have truly been able to see all that was done for me, I am giving you the credit now even when you may not have received credit since the day I was born. I know that all you have wanted for me was to see me shine and do great things, but you are truly the reason that I am where I’m at today. You have taught me so many things about life and you are the reason that I am so blessed. Each day, your actions prove how selfless you are and have been every since I came into this world. You have showed me how important it is to love myself as I grow and mature, and how I should be treated by a man later in life. Among our many disagreements you are the one to who I owe my success and the one who truly deserves to be praised for everything you have done. Nothing about raising daughters has to be easy, but no father ever gets off easy in that department. Life gets hard, we fight, and we move on. I love when we relate on certain things, politics being one of them, but most importantly, our late night talks while eating chocolate chips and peanut butter, watching the stars on a clear summer night, talking about the weather will always be with me wherever I go. I hope that when I am completely on my own someday, we can look back on those good memories, while also making new ones.

Dad,

You are the first man to ever love me and the first man I have ever loved. Since the day I was born you started building this life for me that I am truly grateful for. You have supported me through my life endeavors the whole time even though at times I pushed you away because I wanted to do something on my own. You were okay with it and when it felt like too much, you stepped up to help once more. You have never failed to help me through the difficulties that this life throws at me, and you are appreciated more than you know.

In this life, none of us are perfect and I am thankful that we both have made our mistakes. Even among the hard parts in our relationship, I am so grateful for the close-knit relationship that we now hold, I would not trade it for anything. Mostly, I am thankful that you are the one God chose for my father and I will be forever grateful. There will come a day when you walk me down the aisle dressed in white and will be completely on my own one day. Even if I am in the arms of another man, the walk of life that you and I shared will always be my favorite. You are the first man to ever love me and a love that can never be replaced.

I want to say from the bottom of my heart that you are my best friend and no one will ever replace that role in my life. Now that I am in college, I have realized all of these years, I haven’t given you credit, even though through everything, you deserved every piece of the credit. Thank you for teaching me to love life and to know that I am blessed in every aspect. I truly want to thank you for supporting and providing me with everything and best gift of all, having a dad like you. I love you so much.

Love always,

Your little girl (Not so little anymore) :)