I love you,

No matter how much I try I can never thank you enough for everything that we have shared. I know that we have not spent as much time together as we wanted while I was growing up but looking back now I have come to realize that we shared much more than I thought. You have taught me lessons that I never knew I needed to learn and I can never thank you enough. Here are just a few of the many things that I have gained because of you.

1. You gave me a love for books.

Through all my years as a child I can always remember you having a book lying beside your chair. Ready to be read at a moments’ notice. Your love for books bled through to me and now I find myself always keeping a book by my bedside. We can sit a read together in the living room for hours and I enjoy those moments that we share; both of us engrossed in whatever story has captured our attention at the time.

2. You taught me to love football.

GO DAWGS! From the time I was little we have always shared a love for football. We get mad at the referees for bad calls and scream at the TV for someone to “Catch him!” as the opposing team runs the ball down the field. No matter the day we can always have a good time over football.

3. We both love N.C.I.S.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs, man can you and I just sit and watch that show for hours! Our love for N.C.I.S. runs deep and we are always trying to be one step ahead and solve the case before Gibbs does. I would never in a million years give up the time we spend together watching that show.

4. Trust in My Faith.

Though we do not share a denomination you have always encouraged me to trust my faith. Many occasions I have questioned what I believed, or I have struggled to come to terms with God’s plan for my life. But you were always there, always telling me “Trust what you know is in your heart”. I’ll never forget that.

5. Appreciate the little things.

There are many little things you do for me. You take my hair down and get all the knots out when I am too lazy or too tired to do it myself. You are always willing to go to the store if I need something, no matter what it might be and you always have my favorite food cooked for me when I come home to visit. It’s always the little things that really matter.

6. My Go-To Advice Giver

No matter what you always give me an objective opinion. I can always count on you to tell me what you think is best no matter what the situation might be. From relationships to school and work you always know just what to say.

7. Good Old Country Songs

We can sit in the car for hours and just listen to those old country songs that make your heart melt. You have over the years given me an appreciation for the old and the new. We share our love for genuine country songs and I will always think of you when I hear one.

8. No need for all that talking

You have truly taught me to appreciate the silence. We have shared so many moments no matter the location where silence has played a part. The wonderful thing about that is that we understood exactly what the other was thinking without saying a word.

9. Stand up for what you believe in

Even if you stand alone. You have always showed me not through words, but through actions to stand up for what I know is right. You taught me to defend my beliefs, my family and my morals. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of this lesson you have taught me. In our world today this is probably the most important lesson I have learned from you.

As my father, you have showed me what it looks like to be a good man. To stand by your family no matter what, and to honor your word. These are just some of the many lessons that you have taught me over the years and I cannot possibly thank you enough. Every day when you put on your uniform to go to work you teach me to fight for justice. To honor your duty and to respect the people around you. You teach me what it means to protect and serve. You are always ready at a moments’ notice to go out and put your life on the line to protect another’s. We live in a world that is unequal, unfair and unjust. Every day you teach me the importance of doing my part to make that world a little better. We may not have shared as much time as we wanted but I got exactly what I needed and more. Thank you for being a dad I can look up to and be proud you. I love you.