Daddy,

Have I ever told you how much I love you? Despite the numerous times I screamed out “I hate you!” in the heat of an argument. You will always be one of my first loves (mom too, of course). From the day I was born you have been one my biggest fans. You stood by my side every step of the way, and never left me to stand-alone. There is not a day I wake up and question if you love me, thank you for that. Thank you for constantly pushing me even when I thought you were the biggest pain in the a-double-s. You saw more potential in me than I saw in myself and because of you I am to push myself to do better everyday. Thank you for giving me a childhood I can always cherish. For letting me practice my makeup on you, and paint your nails every shade of the rainbow. For holding my hand while you taught me to rollerblade and never letting go, for taking me to my modeling classes every week, for being at every single performance and ceremony, for the roses every birthday and Valentine’s Day even when you couldn’t make it, and for the never ending hugs and kisses every night before you tucked me in to bed. Thank you for making me feel like a princess everyday.

I am grateful everyday to have someone like you as a dad, someone who would truly do everything and anything for his daughter. I have never stopped admiring the drive you have that was able to give us the life we have today. That is the same drive I aspire to have. I hope I am able to show my own children one day the same love, forgiveness, loyalty and drive that you have showed me.

As I grow into adulthood I understand why you (and mom) did (and still do) the things you do; the same things I found completely annoying in high school was your way of showing how much you cared about my safety. I couldn’t understand why you got annoyed if I didn’t text you after I got to school or a friend’s house. Why I couldn’t drive to go certain places, or go certain places at all. I wanted to be like everyone else, and that exactly what you did not want. Thank you for what is your now not so annoying ways of showing you care. For showing me it’s ok to be different and stand apart from the crowd. Thank you for letting me be me, for letting me screw up, and still being there to love me. Thank you for being my friend when I thought I didn’t have any, and for showing me what true love really is. I only hope to become someone who you can always be proud of. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I had lost you that day, and I would rather not think about it. I am so ever grateful to have a second chance at keeping you in my life. I hope you don’t ever doubt how much I love you. Someday I may find my prince charming but daddy you will always be my king and first love.

I love you to the moon and back,

Kris.