Dear Dad,

Thank you for all the times you have made me laugh, it has been countless. There have been times where I wanted to cry or scream or runaway entirely, but you seem to melt that all away with one joke or one of your girlish giggles. You always know how to make me feel better, whether it be giving me a big hug with your Old Spice cologne oozing out of your pores or cracking a joke about how I should drink a juice box to feel better.

Thank you for being strong. I know there have been so many instances where you wanted to give up or wanted to put your shields down. You always seem to carry yourself in such a way that some day I hope to inherit and to be able to be as strong as you are. You always make me and the family feel safe, even though it's impossible for you to be scary.

Thank you for being patient. I wasn't always the most obedient child growing up, or the most patient for that matter. Thank you for always keeping your cool when I yelled at you that you're being unfair, or when I sobbed over my math homework because we all know how terrible I am at it. It takes a really special person to have all that patience within them, and I'm blessed that one of those people is you.

Thank you for being supportive. I know that you always have my back in every decision I make and always help me make the right one. Thank you for making me feel like you're on my team and will be there for me every step of the way. Your guidance through my life so far has lead me to the person I am today.

Thank you for teaching me that men can be sensitive too (and I don't mean in a bad way). You taught me and my siblings that men should be able to cry if they feel pain; if they feel that they need to. It isn't feminine, it's not "girly", it's expressive of your emotions. No one should have to disguise their emotions because it makes them look weak. You taught me that crying doesn't show your weak, it means that you just have been strong for too long and you need to get those emotions out.

Thank you for being one of the most influential people in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for teaching me how to love, how to be happy, to not be judgmental, to be accepting of others, and most importantly, be accepting of myself. Love you Dad.