Not everyone will know what it feels like to have someone willing to carry the weight of the world on his or her back and constantly make sacrifices just so you can have a good life.

Thanks to my dad, I have lived my entire life knowing someone was there tirelessly working every day, just so I can have the life I've always known.

My dad has made so many life-changing decisions for the sole purpose of providing for our family. From choosing a career in something he's not passionate about but has the stability and necessary pay for providing for our family, to moving us from his home state so my sister and I could have a memorable childhood.

I have taken what my dad does for my family for granted more times than I can count.

Growing up, I never knew what it was like for money to be an issue. I was spoiled, to say the least. But even though the work my dad did opened an easy door to become obsessed with "things", he taught me to not be materialistic or vain.

My dad is the reason I'm passionate about many of the things I love today, like history, traveling, learning, and even NFL football.

He is also indirectly the reason for everything else I love. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to discover certain things or have the ability or means to investigate them. Everything I know is all thanks to my best friend and everything he did to provide for me.

My dad also taught me how to treat others, and how I deserve to be treated.

As a devout Christian, he went out of his way to teach me about my religion and explain to me what the teachings mean for my own life in today's world and how I am able to make a difference. The values he taught me have molded me into the person I am today and still help me overcome obstacles I face every day.

He taught me the importance of social justice and sharing my privileges and blessings with others. He's the reason I know to look out for everyone else's back, not just mine.

This fellow nerd also took every chance he had to educate me on any subject. If I ever had a question about something, I was provided with a thorough explanation and a conversation to understand things I didn't even know I didn't know.

Because of my dad, I was given the confidence needed to tell myself that I am smart and can do anything I put my mind too.

Even though his work has always drained so much out of him, he hardly ever lets that show when he's spending time with our family.

He always puts my sister and I first and he always does anything we want to do. Despite the fact that he's the one who works everyday until he has a complete mental shutdown, he would always play along with anything I came up with. Whether it was a game, a "store" I created, going somewhere, or watching a certain movie, he was always ready to be a dad and best friend.

My dad never asks for acknowledgement or thanks for holding our family up. He has always taken care of us and never expects anything from us in return besides seeing us happy.

He has always gone above and beyond for us. I will never be able to explain to him how thankful I am for the life he's given me.

Without this man I grew up with, the world as I know it would be nonexistent. He gave me more than he or my mom ever had.

My dad is the reason I wake up every morning feeling blessed and without any real worries.

My dad is the reason I have made decisions for my life that make me proud of who I am.

My dad is the reason I live my life the way I want to without caring about what other people think.

My dad is the reason I've been given so many unforgettable life experiences.

My dad is the reason I have lived such a wonderful life, and the reason my future is as bright as it is.

My dad is the reason I'm comforted everyday, no matter what might be going on in my life, because I know I have someone who loves me and is ready to talk whenever I need someone.

My dad is my best friend, and without him and the amount of love he shows me in more ways than I could ever count, I would be lost.

I love you, dad!