Dear Dad, Papi, Joe, brother, Tio, Abuelo, Husband, and so much more, Happy Father's Day. This is your 17th Father's Day as my dad and every year I find myself reflecting on all of the amazing things you do for me. When I was in Pre-K, you would wake up extra early to do my hair, eat breakfast with me, and drive me to Doral Academy elementary school every morning, without fail. The process changed throughout the years, I started to do my own hair, I started to skip having large breakfasts, and eventually, I got my own car. Now, I drive myself to school. Throughout all of this, you never once complained. You reminisce lovingly with me at times, and you're always proud to see me. The young woman who would not be where she is today without your help. You've always pushed me to be better, while reminding me not to be so hard on myself when I do everything I can. Our rituals of Sunday morning breakfasts and my yelling at you, "It's green dad, go, go, go!" or "It's red dad, stop, stop, stop!" at every single stop light, will forever and ever be held safely in my heart. These may sound like simple things, but a father's simple actions shape young men and women to be everything they want to be. Now a senior in high school, I find myself looking into the near future and realizing you will no longer be in a room down the hall. Although this is a blessing and a curse, I will miss your hugs and your "goodnights" and every small thing you do in between. I appreciate you, Dad. You have raised myself and all four of my siblings, molding and shaping us into the people we are and the people we aspire to be. Without you, we wouldn't have our mentor, honest advisor, friend, protector, and uniter. As for me, I wouldn't have my best friend. The person who always makes me laugh, the person who knows what I'm feeling by a simple look on my face, one of (I love you, mom) the people who encourage me to "reach for the stars" no matter the obstacles I face. Thank you dad, for being MY dad. And thank you dads everywhere, for staying patient (mostly), for showing us how to do anything we want to do, for telling us when we're in the wrong and how to fix it, and for loving us unconditionally. I'm sure we all think we have the best dads in the world, and we should all show our fathers how much they mean to us this Sunday. For the ladies, he's the man who will interrogate every man that ever comes to meet your parents. And as long as you're happy, he will be too. For the guys, he's the man who showed you what being a man is all about. For all the dad jokes, the handy jobs, and mostly, the love. thank you for being you. And as for my dad, thank you, Papi, for everything you have done and continue to do for me. I love you, Happy Father's Day.