Dad,

If I were to tell you how much you mean to me, I wouldn't be able to find enough words in the dictionary. You are so extremely caring and genuine, and there isn't a thing in this world that I'm too afraid to talk to you about. Every day when I get out of classes or get off work, I look forward to giving you a call and seeing what you're up to. And I guess it really took me moving away to college and you moving to a town even farther away to realize how much I truly need you in every aspect of my life.

For all of the puppy videos you tag me in on Facebook, all the times you jokingly say you will "shoot" any boy that comes around me, all the times you ask me to text you when I get home so you know I'm safe, the way you never let me go without and help me out as much as possible whether it's financially or whatever it may be, and always being happy as you pick up the phone when I call you, I want to say thank you.

There are so many girls in this world that don't have the relationship with their dad that I do. There are also so many girls that don't really even have a dad at all, and that makes our relationship all the more special and I know I take it for granted.

While I don't see you even half as much as I'd liked to, I'm comforted in knowing that you're only a phone call away. Not a day goes by that I don't miss my childhood home and being able to wake up every morning and see you and talk to you. I miss the steak and baked potatoes that you made for dinner every Saturday night, and even that nasty "Hamburger Helper that you would make as a single dad on a random night of the week. I miss watching movies with you late at night and devouring a bag of burnt popcorn, staying up way past my bedtime and not wanting to get up for school the next morning. As a little girl, I miss forcing you to play "school" with me while you were working in the basement, and ultimately giving you "F's" on all of the "homework" assignments I would give you. I miss when you would drive me to elementary school in the mornings and we would listen to "John Boy and Billy" on the radio.

On your birthday, I just want you to know how much impact you have made on me throughout the years, how much you mean to me, and how much I love you. Thank you so much for everything you do. Happy Birthday!

Love,

Your Little Girl