When your parents found out that you were going to be entering into their world, their lives changed forever. They know that their jobs as parents is to protect you and to love you with their whole heart. When you are born they hold you in their arms and a feeling of something they have never felt before overcomes them. I truly believe that from the moment I was born, I was wrapped around my dad’s finger.

I grew up convinced that my dad was a superhero.

He worked his regular 9-5 job, coached many of both mine and my brother’s sports teams, spent time with his family, and helped my mom put food on the table. He did everything and more than a dad should do.

He is the one who showed me my favorite movies, my favorite artists, and my favorite sports. We have this fun banter that can go back in forth with each other for hours, a type of sarcasm and humor that no one else would get.

Some of my favorite times with my dad are when he has to drive me back to campus after a quick trip home or after a break. It is a 3-hour car ride filled with many John Mayer songs and stories from when my dad was younger. He gives me the best advice, and even though it may seem like I don’t want it, I take everything he says to heart. Even when he constantly tells me that getting a boyfriend in college is stupid and a waste of time!

I love coming home and giving my dad the biggest hug, a hug that makes me instantly feel safe. My dad is not the most tech-savvy person in the world so texting and talking on the phone every day is not the case for us, so seeing him for the first time in weeks or months is extremely emotional and relieving for me.

He taught me how to stand up for myself. How to be proud of myself. And how to truly love someone. Every time I questioned if I was doing the right thing, my dad is there to pick me up and make me feel confident in who I am. Every time I have a group of friends come over, he treats and cares for them like they are his own, making sure they have everything they need to be content. I strive to not only be a parent like my dad but a person.

He is, and will always be, the number one man in my life.

For the future, I know I’m excited (he may not be) for him to walk me down the aisle. I’m excited for the times where I get to make fun of him for being old (because I don’t do it enough) and for him to see me as I, hopefully, succeed in my career. I couldn’t ask for a better dad (thanks, mom, you chose the right one) No matter how old I am, I will always be daddy’s little girl.