First and foremost, thank you, Dad. I'm going to break these down, but I want to thank you first. Thank you for being the first guy I loved and putting extremely high expectations for any other guy that comes into my life. Thank you for not raising me as a princess, and creating a little tough girl that can still wear dresses. Thank you for being my coach throughout the years. Thank you for always loving me with tough love. And thank you for just always being there for anyone you have met.
Thank you for being the first guy I loved...
I have always been seen as the daddy's girl, but that's because we instantly had a bond. You are the first person I loved, and with that you put extremely high expectations on any other guy that has come into my life. You've left extremely big shoes to fill. You've shown me that I can still be loved even when I am difficult. You've shown me what it felt like to have someone support you when you need it the most. You've always gone out of your way to make me smile when the days seem like the worst. I know what it's like to be loved whole heartedly, and for that, you made any other guy carry a weight on their shoulders just to love me the way you love me.
Thank you for not raising me as a princess...
I've always said that you are responsible for making me the woman I have become while also making me the little boy I have become as well. You were always the first one to tell me to "rub some dirt in it." I'll never forget when I broke my leg during soccer, and the first thing you said was "stop crying. It's not broken, get up and play" and once you saw I actually couldn't stand, you automatically ran to my side and picked me up. Not only did you agree to put me in dance, but you agreed to put me in sports. When there is a sporting event on, you know I am more than happy to watch it with you. Whenever I'm around a group of guys talking about sports, I'll chime in and they're shocked to see this relatively girly looking girl actually know what she's talking about. Unlike many of my friends, you showed me some vital things to know about a car and showed me how to fend for myself if my car ever breaks down. You taught me how to do things on my own rather than wait for someone else.
Thank you for being my coach throughout the years...
Although on paper you were my actual coach for only two years, you have been my coach for 22 years. Both on and off the field, you taught me so much. Whether or not I wanted to take the extra time to practice in the driveway with you, I know that it was worth it. I wouldn't have found the love in sports like I did had it not been for you coaching me through it. At any game you attend, you will be the first person that will come up to me or any of my teammates and tell us what we need to focus or work on.
Thank you for always loving me with tough love...
You are by far the most stubborn, blunt, and honest person while teaching me to have my own voice. Yes, you yell at me from time to time, but it's not like I didn't deserve it some of those times. The tough love you had for me gave me my own independence. You didn't let me get away with much, and for that I thank you. You showed me that not everything is handed to you, and sometimes you have to do things on your own.
Thank you for always being there for anyone you have met...
No matter who it is, you always find a way to be there for anyone. I always joke around and say that whenever we walk into Costco that you are the homecoming king. But, that's only cause you make everyone you meet feel comfortable, and they trust you, and you will always remember what they tell you and support them just as much as you do us. You find a way to get into long conversations with everyone, but you always leave an impact on them. I've actually watched people walk away with a smile after they have a conversation with you. It's not just me who falls into your comforting aura, and that is always a good quality to have.
Dad, you will always have my love and respect. You've influenced my life and continue to do so. You leave an impact everywhere you go and teach me everyday to be the respectful woman I am today. I would not be half the person I am today if it weren't for you. Thank you for all that you do, and have done, for me and everyone else around me. I will never find a way to repay you for all that you have done other than to just follow in your footsteps. Thank you for being everything you are and for showing me what to look for in a future husband. I love you, Dad.
