A couple of years ago, my mom told me the story of the Christmas that I wanted a Barbie Jeep. She told me about how a Barbie Jeep was all I wanted, the only thing that I asked Santa for, and of course it was the one thing my parents wanted me to wake up to on Christmas morning. There was only one problem: all the stores were sold out of Barbie Jeeps, and they had been for the past month or so. My parents scrambled to come up with a gift as great as that Barbie Jeep, but there was really no comparison (I mean come on, it was a Barbie Jeep). So, on the night of Christmas Eve, my dad drove from Burbank to Victorville (about a two hour drive) to go to the one store he could find a Barbie Jeep at. He drove all night and my mom told me that he did not get to sleep that night because he was busy trying to make his little girl happy.

I woke up that morning and I remember opening presents from Santa and then my dad saying that I should look outside because he heard some noises out there the night before. So I ran outside in my footsie pajamas to see the greatest present a little girl could ask for: a Barbie Jeep. I can remember how excited I was, and I immediately got in and headed down the driveway. At the time, I did not realize the trouble that went into finding the jeep; I had no idea that my dad had spent his Christmas Eve driving instead of sleeping.

This is just one example of something special that my dad has done for me. My dad is the hardest worker and most generous giver. His heart is so big. When he lived two hours away from my sister and I, he would drive all the way down to our school for my choir performances and her orchestra concerts (he never missed one). When my family decided to do secret Santa instead of giving gifts to all of the cousins, he still bought a gift for everyone. When my great grandma passed away (on my mom’s side) he made his famous spaghetti sauce for everyone at the funeral even though he and my mom were recently divorced. When my mom was in the hospital with pulmonary embolism and when she found out she had cancer, he was always there with meals, flowers, and something to cheer everyone up. When I was upset about not getting into my dream college, he drove with me to ASU because he knew it would be right for me. If there is an opportunity for him to give to those in need, he takes it even when he has nothing to give.

Father’s Day is time to celebrate our dads and to thank them for everything they do for us. I am so lucky to have the most amazing dad in the entire world. When we are little we do not understand the sacrifices our parents make, but as we get older we learn to appreciate the love they have shown us throughout the years. Even though we may not look like daddy’s little girl anymore, we will always be that to them.

I hope that on this past Father’s Day you remembered the good times that you had with your dad growing up; realizing all that he has done for you and all he continues to do for you. I hope you keep him in your heart at all times, not just because Father’s Day was on Sunday. I hope you call your dad and tell him that you love him.

So Happy Father’s Day Daddy! Thank you for always being there and for everything that you do. I love you and appreciate you every single day, not only on Father’s Day.

Love,

Your little girl