One of the best parts of having a best friend is the bond you forge with their parents.
With my friend Taylor, I had that.
When we first became friends, I didn't talk to her dad much. He didn't even remember my name for the few first months we were friends, but that never stopped him from always making me feel welcomed whenever I came over.
Over the next few years, we started to become more comfortable with each other.
He would invite me over for their parties and barbeques (and he always made sure to make my burgers and hot dogs just the way I liked them - without barbeque sauce). He drove me to Hershey to participate in the Color Run with him, Taylor, and the rest of their family. He got me a concert ticket to see Panic! At the Disco with Taylor and her sister. He came over and fixed my heater for my family when it was broken. He would always offer to get me and Taylor McDonald's breakfast in the morning on the weekends, get us ice cream on summer nights… you name it.
We would always joke around with each other which always left me laughing until I was crying. Every time I came over he'd always yell "HEY RACHEL" throughout the whole house. It was never a dull moment with him.
He was like a second father to me, and he always treated me like I was his own kid.
Whenever Taylor and I didn't hang out for a few weeks, he would ask her where I was and how I was doing. Whenever she and I had fights, and then make up, he'd always say "I'm happy you guys are friends again".
He made sure I was taken care of. That's something I'll always be extremely grateful for.
It's always hard losing someone you love. Fortunately, I've never dealt with any extreme losses in my life. Until now. Losing my best friend's dad is something that just changed me. It's a pain I cannot put into words.
I'll never forget John and everything he's done for me. He was such an amazing person inside and out, and he touched the lives of every single person he's met throughout his life.
I'll always love him like a father, and I know he'll always be looking over my best friend and her family.
