Dear Daddy,

Please don’t cry when you read this, I just thought I should show how much I love you, and cherish you.

You really do make my whole world bright. You make me smile, laugh and cringe at silly jokes that only we understand.

You’ve taught me the importance of a good movie and how it works; how the director can move seamlessly from one shot to another. You’ve taught me how to read through tapes across states, and the importance of a good book.

You’ve shown me what it’s like to be at my lowest and bring me to my best. You never stop believing in me and you always take care of me. You’ve taught me the importance of family through always loving each and everyone of us equally without faultur.

You’ve taught me the importance of having a moral backbone in life, regardless of what it is. You’ve shown me how a dark and stormy night, blooms into and bright and joyous day.

You’ve taught me how to be gracious and humble and that every person matters no matter who they are.

You’ve taught me to love myself, even when I feel like I should despise myself.

You make it easier to live knowing I have you by my side.

You’ve taken me camping in Wisconsin, and hiking through cities. You’ve taken me from coast to coast, and one day we’ll go all the way in between.

You told me never to give up, to always fight for what I believe in even if the road ahead seems daunting. You told me to never be afraid of sharing my truth with the world, and that has helped me cope with all that I face.

You’ve shown me how to edit videos, take my version of the perfect photo, the importance of a good knick-knack, and the value of a good clean house. All of this I appreciate because I know it will follow me for the rest of my life, even if I don’t understand it at the time.

Continuing with family, you have always shown me that no matter who they are, or how they came into our lives, to stick by them, because they are family. Through thick or thin, blood is not thicker than water because love is love, is love is love, and we love full heartedly, with every breathe of our being.

Daddy, you never give up on me and I love you for that. You take care of Mama, and I treasure knowing that I have a central family unit that is string at it’s core because love is love, is love is love.

Please, again, don’t cry reading this because I know you are, and I love you for that because you’ve shown me what a good man is and I hope to have a husband one day as loyal and trusting and beautiful as you have been with Mama.

Papa, you truly are my hero and without overstating it, I love you.

Love always,

Maya Jeanne