Dear Dad,

I would do anything to bring you back so we could talk about everything that has happened since you have been relieved of your pain. The things you have missed since you left for heaven was my high school graduation, My Senior Prom, my college acceptance letters into Suny Farmingdale and Suny Nassau Community College, Being asked to Ring ceremony at Suny Maritime, Meeting my now boyfriend of a little over 1 year, Ryan and Ashley's wedding and Jackie and Mike's wedding.

Since you’ve been gone I have meet a guy I feel is the “ONE”. You would have liked him. He’s kind, strong, loving, compassionate, and caring. The worst part is that you will never get to meet him. When It comes to Jackie and Mike ,well they finally got married on the 28th day of January in 2017.Ryan and Ashley have been married for two years now. Everyone has talked about all of their amazing memories with you. The one I found funniest was the one you told Jackie about the comments girls made to you in the clubs when you were younger. That was quite a story, and also one you have never told me while I was growing up. I also have been shown old photos of you when you were my age. I was so shocked by these because I don’t remember you having hair at all and because I have never seen photos of you when you were my age. It’s amazing what time and aging can do to a person. I was also so amazed by the fact that I don’t look like you at all when you were younger, but I look a lot like you as you got older.

As we come up on your two year anniversary of you leaving to be in a better place. I know you watch over me and think there’s a lot of mistakes and a lot of accomplishments I have achieved since you left. I know now that this year when the 22nd of February comes around I will be stronger and braver than I have ever been. I will do something positive to keep me from crying and encourage me to smile. It's crazy that I am going to be 21 this June and that I won't get to have my first drink with you in Florida. On my birthday I have decided that I'm going to get my first two tattoos. One will be of the last quote you have ever said to me and the second will be a rose and angel wings in memory of grandma Gillis and Grandma rose. LOVE you my guardian Angel and I know that one day “I will see you again”.

“Think of me now...thinks of me ever...think of those special times we spent together. Treasure the good and discard the bad and you will never be sad.” Daddy 02-22-2015.

Love your one and only daughter,

MaryKate