Dear Dad,

In our lives, especially being Millennials, relationships are hard. Dating culture is constantly changing and heartbreak is inevitable. Looking back on past relationships might be painful, but there's one relationship I will forever be grateful for--the one with my dad.

Thank you for always being my biggest cheerleader.

I can't imagine going through life without your positivity and charisma. You always encourage me to be my best, and you never fail to pick me up when I'm down. From physically picking me up when I hurt myself to picking up the phone when I'm upset, you always make time to talk to me and make me feel like I'm the most important person in the world. No matter what I do, I know you will support me and be genuinely excited for me. When I started softball, you never hesitated to take me to the batting cages or rent a cage so I could practice pitching. You also never hesitated to be my catcher, even when my pitching ability was less than exceptional. When I wanted to try modeling, you didn't think twice about driving me to Dallas every Sunday to take classes and eventually get signed to an agency. Even over the break, when I needed to create a broadcast submission tape, you jumped at the opportunity to help and held the camera while Mom held the cue cards. I can't thank you enough for those things.

Thank you for being patient with me.

While participating in these activities were fun, they weren't always easy. I was so passionate, I often forgot that I didn't really know what was best for me and that I needed to trust you. You were always there to help me, and I don't think I appreciated that as much as I should have. We both love to write and create, so when it came time for me to write a paper and I wanted you to edit it, we often butt heads. I thought I knew everything, and it took me a couple (or a lot) of failures to realize I didn't. But when I was wrong and you were right, you never threw it in my face or said you told me so. You let me figure things out on my own, no matter how painful the process was.

Thank you for your unconditional love.

From picking up Chicken Express after a bad softball game to taking care of me when I'm sick, you have never left my side. I remember when I was a little girl and I felt sick, got scared, or just couldn't sleep, I would always run to your room and you would wake up, give me medicine, and watch TV with me until I fell back asleep. Even when I got really sick as a senior in high school, I remember crying and running to your room and that routine didn't change. I know I can count on you for anything, even if it's something as trivial as comforting.

Thank you for inspiring me.

While I learned a lot from my relationship with you, I also learned a lot by watching your relationships with other people. You can strike up a conversation with anyone in a room, and instantly become friends with them. Even now at the University of Arkansas, I stood up on the first day of class to introduce myself, and the first thing the professor said was that she remembered you from when we toured the college back in high school. You leave a mark on everyone you meet, and I constantly try to bring myself up to that standard. I always push myself to work on my conversation skills and put myself out there so I can be a great speaker like you.

In short, thank you for being you. I love you.