Many girls grow up with a father their entire lives but for some those "fathers" are nonexistent.

I am one of those girls that grew up without a "father". Yes, that means my mom was a single mom, and in my opinion she did a pretty damn good job at raising me. Of course my grandparents helped out a TON with me; and when I say a ton, I mean they took me EVERYWHERE with them when I was little and when my mom was at work.

Sure I didn't get to experience a "father's love" but I got to experience something way better, a grandpa's love. My grandpa is one of the most important people in my life; he taught me how to ride a horse, how to care for cattle, and most importantly what to look for in a man. My grandpa is a kind, caring, tough, and hard working man. He stepped up, when my father didn't.

I'm not bitter by any means, I'm in fact thankful that my "father" wasn't there. Without my father in my life, I learned many life lessons from my grandpa that I probably wouldn't have learned if my father was in fact in my life.

So "dad", don't worry about it. I am doing just fine without you in my life. I have an amazing family, I'm graduating college in May; I'm in a serious relationship. And I did it all without the help of you.