For starters, you will always be my hero, and I will always be your little girl. Some of my earliest memories are of me just wanting to hang out with you and having you teach me all of the amazing things you know. From the time you spent teaching me how to swim to when you taught me how to tie my shoes, you were always there for me every step of the way.

Being the only girl, and the youngest, it was obvious that I would get favored in certain ways, but that is not the reason I love you so much. I love you for all the times I wasn't favored. You taught me how to become a responsible person, and you never gave up on me. You showed me that sometimes I am wrong, and that it's OK to admit that. You protected me from all of the bad boys out there that I tried so desperately to date -- thank you for saving me some heartbreak.

And when those boys did break my heart, thank you for being there to help me pick up the pieces. Thank you for always reminding me that I have a million reasons to not only be loved by someone else, but to love myself as well, which is something I can never thank you enough for. Thank you for being the overprotective dad that every girl claims she dreads but is actually so thankful for, especially me.

Thank you for not only making time for me, but dedicating your time to me. Because of that I will have so many amazing memories with you to look back on for the rest of my life. Every weekend that we spend watching movies, and all of the times you nag me to get off my phone and pay attention to the world are times that I will cherish forever. I know sometimes I probably seem ungrateful, but words cannot express how grateful I am for every single thing you do for me. It brings tears to my eyes when I think about your wanting to reduce my student loan debt as much as possible by working harder than anyone I have ever known in order to try and make that possible.

Thank you for all the times you let me believe I had you wrapped around my little finger. Let's face it -- every girl needs to believe that, from time to time, her Dad will let her have whatever she wants. But at the same time you never once made me feel spoiled. You had this perfect balance of letting me feel like my childhood was filled with happiness, where I remember feeling like I had everything someone could ever want, without actually having everything I've probably ever asked for. You definitely put other dads to shame.

You've shown me what it's like to be so financially responsible that I never need to worry. I hope I can be like that for my kids someday. Every time you send me an email or leave me a voicemail that you sign with, "Love Dad" or, "I love you," the part of me that laughs on the outside because of how corny it is is secretly so glad that you always remind me how much you care. As a person who does not show emotion very much, you always seem to show me exactly how much you love me and words cannot describe how much that means to me.

Thank you for being my best friend. I know I can come to you with anything and that you won't judge me or be any less proud of me than the moment before. Not only can I laugh and be my obnoxious, silly self around you, but I can also always be serious around you and no topic is off limits.

You remind me every day what it's like to be an amazing parent, and I hope that when I get married someday, the man I commit my life to is at least half the father you are. That'd be a stroke of luck on my part. Thank you for saving every voicemail I leave you just because you want to listen to them from time to time. I seriously think that is the most amazing thing ever, and it warms my heart to know that my silly little messages mean that much to you.

And finally, thank you for being my hero. You have shown me my entire life that when the world tries to knock you down, you stand back up and fight, and you never let anyone stand in your way of living the life you deserve to live. Because of you I have so much courage and I have learned to always get back up every time I fall. I no longer feel the need to quit or give up on something because you taught me to be a fighter.

From my very first word, to tying my shoes, to learning to swim, to learning to drive and now to learning how to be on my own, you have been there every step of the way. You will always be my hero, dad. I love you.