Dear Hardworking Father,

We went through life having ups and downs and I have never really noticed what you’ve been doing. I wanted the best, and I expected the best. If I asked for something, I wanted it and would push for it. So, I first would like to say sorry. I’m sorry for acting so selfish and spoiled throughout my life. I’m sorry for holding happiness back for the two of us for so long. I never fully understood what we’ve been going through up until now, and I guess it’s just a little too late.

I look back on my life now and see things I wish I did differently and things I wish I never said. You always told me to fight for what I wanted and to always push forward. Maybe I took that a bit too seriously. But no matter what my ambitions were, you always found a way to make them happen. And I thank you for that.

We lost out on a lot of memories because you always had to work. You tried to provide me with the best life you possibly could, and I took it for granted. You worked late nights and would wake up the next morning bright and early, always having a smile on your face because you didn’t want me to see you tired. Because you did this, I grew up to realize that I need to love what I do and to do what I love. You were always an advocate for that, even if you were a phone call away.

I was definitely the spoiled child, and I always had to have the top-notch clothes and sneakers and electronics. But no matter what I wanted, you gave it to me, and when you couldn’t come through on it, you always told me “someday.” And while mom left, you still kept giving me a life and happiness, even if that happiness was just temporary. You were there for me when I would freak out because I was bullied, or when my mom would come to visit then leave. You are my crutch. You drove me to school and picked me up, you paid for college applications and SAT tests, you made time to come to my concerts and my musicals, and you always showed you loved me and supported me no matter the decisions I made or the words I said.

You worked two jobs and went to school to become an electrician. We never really had the time for those typical father-son things that my fellow classmates had -- we had more than that. We had a journey. You taught me the meaning of being a person. You taught me to find my own happiness and to love unconditionally. And you taught me to never look back and to just keep opening the doors of opportunities. We had those father-son moments of going to car shows and throwing a baseball around. We had those trips to California, Maine, and Florida. We even went into a cave in West Virginia! We had all those moments, and I will always remember them. Maybe they weren’t your typical moments, but we did the best we could. I am just happy to share them and be on this journey with you.

Through all your hard work and dedication, you managed to get your own happiness, and I couldn’t be happier. You created a new family and I am glad to be a part of this family. Now, even when I am away at school, I know I can call you and ask for advice, and no matter what I do or say, you will always support me and give the best advice you possibly could.

Thank you for being there for me even when it was tough.

Thank you for supporting me even when you were tired.

And thank you for loving me even when I would mess up our relationship.

Thank you for being the man to teach me what it’s like to be strong, well-mannered, passionate, ambitious, loving, and what it’s like to live a life.

Thank you for putting everything aside in order to give me the life I lived.

Thank you.

Love,