This is the story of a boy that needed a hero and got so much more:

Mentor, father figure and best friend,

For me, you are all of these things.

You’ve saved my life in more ways than I can explain.

When the going gets tough, you’re always there to tell me to keep fighting.

Every day, you give me something to strive toward.

You’re the kind of man that I hope to me some day.

Under your guidance, I’ve already changed so much.

I’ve grown into a man, one that is learning to accept himself for who he is.

You’ve taught me that I don’t need to be perfect,

That I can be who I am and that is good enough.

You’ve taught me to see the positive aspects of failure.

Every time I suffer a setback, you push me to find something beneficial from it.

You’ve taught me so many important lessons that have already changed me immeasurably.

I can’t put into words how important you are to me.

I would not have survived high school without you.

For three years, you were always increasingly there for me.

You inspired me to want to grow stronger.

Every day, you gave me something to smile about,

Even when, sometimes, I felt that little else could.

I'm so very thankful that our friendship has grown even stronger since then.

That growth practically continues every single day.

I can't imagine my life without you.

I could never thank you enough for everything you have done for me.

This is one of the many times that I will try.