First of all, wow, how are you turning 50 on September 16? I wanted to write this open thank you letter as an appreciation of your life for your birthday, because not only do you deserve to know how great of a Dad you are, but the whole world needs to know, too!

Without you, I would honestly not be the person I am today and our family wouldn’t be the same, either. Thank you for showing me the importance of loving your family and that family should always be your FIRST priority. You are the backbone that holds it all together. You are the first man to enter into my life and you will always be the most important, even when you’re walking me down the aisle to the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Thank you for ALWAYS providing for me, not just financially, but emotionally too. Thank you for your loving support, and for always having my best interest at heart. Thank you for always showing me strength.

Over the past summer, on our family vacation, when we went deep-sea fishing, you couldn't even move on the boat. You were sick to your stomach, literally puking your guts out.

I felt so, so, bad, but you didn't complain a single time. Instead, you sat and watched as the rest of your family enjoyed the long day out on the water. Months later, I still haven't heard you do anything but laugh about that day, not complain. It wasn't that funny then, but it's pretty funny now. You just held it together for us and let us have fun. Now you make jokes and constantly ask me if I want to go back deep-sea fishing, even though we both know you will NEVER do that again.

You know, I’ve only seen you cry once in my life and I will NEVER forget that day, they laid Papaw to rest. I knew that day was going to be hard for our family, but when I looked over and saw tears falling from your eyes, I knew that it meant that day was real and that it's OK to not be so strong all the time.

When you love, you love unconditionally, and I would like to thank you for always loving me so unconditionally. You have taught me that I deserve the very best in life. Thank you for showing me it doesn’t matter what kind of person you are, everyone needs a friend and you are a friend to everyone that needs. Thank you for teaching me how to treat people, always with kindness and respect. Thank you for teaching me to always stay humble.

I get my extroverted side from mom, but I get my introverted side from you. Sometimes, I am a little shy, I just like to be to myself, not talk, have peace, be calm, and I know you get that. You don’t always have a lot to say, but that’s what makes your actions speak louder than your words. I appreciate that you don’t always have a lot to say because I know when you do say something, you mean it.

Thank you for your random calls while I am away at school that literally only consist of “Hey, I love you and miss you.” I’m not too far from home, but I constantly miss you and Mom. I think about you every day, even though I don’t always show it. It’s nice to get those random calls to bring me back down to earth.

Thank you for being my fan and coming to every dance recital I asked you to, even though I know that you would have been more interested in going to watch a dirt track race. Thank you for letting me hang out with my friends the weekend I was grounded and mom was out of town. Thank you for picking me up from middle school some afternoons and taking me to the store to get cookies. Thank you for all the random mornings you woke me up early to get breakfast. Thank you for teaching me the fun in driving a go-cart, four-wheeler and even a golf cart. It is because of you that I can be a girly girl, but not be afraid to get dirty too. Thank you for always treating me like a daddy’s girl.

Thank you for teaching me the value of hard work. You have taught me the importance of working, the importance of saving and the importance of splurging a little when necessary too. Thank you for teaching me money is important in life but you don’t have to show it off. Thank you for teaching me such an amazing work ethic. Always stay humble. Thank you for showing me that life can be hard but you have to keep working. You have always set a great example.

Thank you for always giving me extra money when I asked, and saying, “bring back the change” then not being mad when I kept the “change” anyway. Thank you for always being interested in my life and asking me a million questions, even when I act annoyed by them, just know I appreciate it. Although you may not understand the things I am going through you make sure I’m okay. I want you to know that I appreciate your efforts to always make sure that I am happy.

Most of all, thank you for always treating me like the baby of the family. I will always want to be your little girl. I know it may be hard to see me growing up, but you’ve taught me so much. You have been one of the biggest influences in my life. Just know that I will always be proud to call you my Dad. I love you so much.