Father's Day may have come and gone, but you should be celebrating your dad every day of the year!

Think about it, our dads do so much for us in a lifetime that they deserve way more than just a card and thank you once every three hundred and sixty five days. They deserve our love and thanks always. Dads are very important in peoples lives, no matter how old or close you are to yours.

For example, my dad has been there for me my entire life! He's watched every musical I've ever been in, shown up to Cross Country meets, sailing regattas, and even volunteers for all of the activities I'm interested in... along with much, much, much, much more (he even reads my Odyssey articles)! My dad has always been there for me, and he's become even more special to me over the past year.

Just a year ago, my dad was cheering in the audience during my graduation... crazy how time flies! Since then, he's sent me all the way off to college, and brought me all the way back home again at the end of the school year. Being away from my family for an entire year made me appreciate their presence in my life even more. I got to enjoy phone calls with my dad telling him all about how life was playing out at school, whether it be filling him in on my social life, or complaining about the dining hall food. My parents came all the way up to visit me for countless parent events, holiday weekends, my birthday, and even a play I was in (was serious when I said he's never missed one!).

And now that I'm officially back from school for the summer, my dad is making my time here very special. For those who don't know, my awesome parents are helping me move into my older brother's old room, which is bigger and better than my childhood bedroom! My dad has helped me pick out paint colors (and painted!), choose and buy brand new furniture, and has put tons of time into making my summer at home really wonderful. It'll be done soon and I can't wait to move it, it's going to look beautiful thanks to all of the work my parents have put into it! Even though I'll only get to enjoy my new bedroom for a few months out of each year, everything my parents have done to create it means the world to me.

So, to those who celebrated their dads yesterday, take the time to appreciate them each and every day of the year, because they really do deserve it. Dads do a lot for us, lets make sure we do something for them to show our love and thanks!

Dad, if you're reading this, thank you so much for everything you do for me and all that you have helped me accomplish, I love you!