As I've grown older and become more man than boy, I've realized how much of an influence my father has had on my current state and personality. Over the years, he has taught me more than I can imagine, or even recall in some cases. I'm surprised sometimes at how much I carry myself like he does now that I'm starting to become a more responsible contributor to society.

Being the only two men in the house, I didn't have or need anybody else to look up to as a boy. It was easy for me to look at my dad and see the kind of person a grown man was supposed to be. It was hard to realize this at the time, but that was quite the privilege to have as a growing kid. Some of my friends didn't know or even have a father, or maybe couldn't see their dad as much as they wanted. Seeing kids around me struggle when it came to finding a role model, it quickly dawned on me how lucky I was to have somebody there whenever I needed him.

As I got older, his lessons began to have more of an impact on me. As I matured, the lessons he had taught me when I was seemingly not ready to learn them began to come to fruition. Things he had taught me when I was ten became second nature by the time I was 15, and it all was happening completely without my knowledge. He had done such a good job of instilling these lessons in me at a young age, that it became natural for myself and my personality to grow right into them, almost subconsciously.

It's not often that you're father ends up being one of you're best friends at age 20, but at this point in my life he's one of the best friends somebody in my situation could ask for. Though his head size might make this hard to believe, he's by far the smartest guy I know. He's taught me virtually every piece of useful information that I possess today, which is much more than any of my other friends could say. He's a walking guide on the qualities a real man should have, and I'm more than thankful that I'm lucky enough to have him showing me the ropes.

At 5'6'', when the winds blowing up, he taught me that it might be your figure that get's you noticed in the short run, but it will always be your demeanor and the way in which you carry yourself that will get you noticed in the long run. I've never seen a man light up the people around him, whether he enjoys their presence or not, quite as much as my father does. Seemingly without trying he is the life of every party, even when there isn't one. And, even though he's barely up to my shoulders at this point, I will never stop looking up to him.

Here's to Roscoe. I love you, man. The Dude will always abide.