We all know what day just passed on Sunday. It is a day to celebrate the men who taught you everything. For the guys it is things like shaving, mowing the lawn, and changing the oil in your car. For the women, it is things like how a man should treat you, how to stand for yourself when you have nothing else, and how to be a lady that will steal a man's heart. This is quite possibly one of the best days for a family. Yet for me, I tend to celebrate this day without a father. But I am actually ok with that.

I never got the opportunity to celebrate Father's day because my father made a decision to never be a part of my life. Yet oddly I am ok with that and I want everyone to know that. Through his decision it made me a better person and who I have become today. Do I get sad when I see other people showing all their accomplishments to their dads and I don't the chance to do the same? Of course, I do, but I never let get me down. If it weren't for the choice that alcohol was more important than his son, I probably wouldn't be where I am today. I show more passion than I have ever known.

One thing that I must mention is the fact that my mother proved to be the best father that anyone could ever ask for. Without her by my side, I would have stumbled and fallen a long time ago and never rose again. Yet she has been by my side each step of the way and I will never be able to thank her for all that she has done.

She taught me everything that a father would teach his son and more. I have picked up skills that would be considered a skill for women. I know how to work a sewing machine and I am proud of it. She has raised a two-time silver medalist cook, a loving young man who has compassion for all and most of all she has raised a man who will show his children what it is like to have an amazing father.

I would have loved to have a father in my life that I could have gone outside with and played catch or that taught me how to survive in the forest. But looking back now on my childhood, my mom was there stepping into his place and I am so grateful. So many times I could see that she just felt like giving up but she persevered and supported me. I love her so much and would be nowhere close to where I have made it today. She is my greatest supporter and my best friend.

To everyone that is reading this story I have a few words of advice. First love both your parents unconditionally, you only get them for so long before they are going to be gone. Secondly, if you have a father that you think may not be the greatest, keep in mind that some people weren't even lucky enough to get a father. Lastly, celebrate every day like it is your last, you never know when your time is going to be up. I say live like you only have an hour left.

So to my father that made his choice to leave me behind, thank you. Your choice has made me who I am. I have grown immensely and have loved everything that I have learned. One thing that I want you to know is that wherever you may go I will love you forever. I wish that we could have shared a relationship together but things happen in our life that we will never understand. Happy Father's day from the son you never got to celebrate with.