I used to fit completely in the palm of your hand and now, although I'm still not much bigger, I’m off living on my own in a completely different state. At one time you were the only man I ever thought would be in my life. As my dating life continues to be a collection of hits and misses I'm realizing that maybe my younger self had it right.

Thank you for taking me on my very first date. At age three, to the McDonald's play land then for ice cream after. You taught me what a gentleman was supposed to be like and to never accept anything less than perfect. I'll never forget our Daddy/Daughter dates and since I've been at college I've held onto those memories more than ever. Thanks for always doing my hair and letting me dress myself while mom was at work. You never minded letting me wear my princess plastic heels to Walmart if I was feeling royal that day. It is because of you that I'm the fashionista I am today.

I'm pretty sure I inherited my love for music from you, partly because you blared your old CD's in your truck anytime we went anywhere and I didn't have much choice. It's because of those memories that when I'm driving and an old bluegrass song comes on the radio I begin crying because those are the times I miss you most.

Thank you for staying with me overnight in the hospital when everyone else was too tired and sleeping in the most uncomfortable chairs at night just to make sure I was okay. You told the best bedtime stories and always had a joke on hand when I needed it. I blame you for all the dental work I had to have done due to too many strawberry shortcake ice cream bars.

Thank you for actively being a father even when you were gone for work. You always made it a point that my brother, mom, and I were priorities over everything else, even if you couldn't physically be there. You always taught us that family is all you've got, people will always come and go in and out of your life, but if you don't have family, you don't have anything. You taught me to always keep my nose clean, to work hard, and above all be honest. I know I've had some trouble in my teenage years with that last one, but I'm learning and trying.

As I continue to date and find new men I've come to realize that it's hard for me to be satisfied with someone because there will truly never be another man like you. Even though I doubt it sometimes, you continue to give me hope that there is a pure honest man out there who will one day be good enough for me. I'm still on the hunt. You've shown me how a man should treat a woman and how a man should always put his family above everyone else. I can only hope that the father of my children will be as good to them as you are to me. I'm thankful that you and mom were so tough on me while I was growing up because it's served me well so far in college. I'm thankful you pounded family values into my head and that I'm lucky enough to have such a close knit family rooting for me at home. Thank you for giving me the best pep talks when I'm stressed and am crying my eyes out. You know how to talk me down because along with your nose, I also inherited my stress tendencies and constant need for perfection from you. You've given me the world and I can't thank you enough for all the sacrafices you've made to get me to where I am today. Even as I'm approaching my 20th birthday, you'll always be my Daddy.