No matter who I date or what boy comes into my life, you’ll always be my right hand, my go-to, and most importantly, the number one guy in my life.
Since I was little, my dad has been my best friend, sideline coach, the chauffer and best cook. Many of my favorite memories involve my dad, whether it was passing softball with him, watching a silly reality TV show, gossiping about what was going on in school to talks about life and the future.
Out of everyone in my life and all the people I know, my dad has a heart made of gold. He goes out of his way to listen, care or help anyone he can and will even smile at strangers and compliment people he barely knows. It seems like when we are together, we can’t go anywhere without him knowing someone. He’ll strike up a conversation with whom ever, even if it means going way out of his way to do so, and he always puts himself last. My dad makes sure everyone and everything has been taken care of before himself, and I admire him for this.
Not everyone enjoys tough love but my dad knows exactly how much and when to give it. He has taught me that respect is not always earned; it is simply given. With him being such a great role model, it has given me someone to push and help me become a better person, while ultimately trying to make him proud. And, even the times I did disappoint or feel like I didn’t make him proud, he has always reminded me who I really am, where I come from and where I am going.
So, thank you, Daddy. From the times when I was little and asked you to play dress up to being OK with sing-alongs in the car and now constantly begging for money in college. You know exactly when to push my buttons but give me the perfect distance when I’m having a bad day. Thank you for always telling me I look beautiful, even if I might not feel or look like it.
Most importantly, thank you for giving me the world. I’ll never be able to repay you or say enough words in the English vocabulary to measure how grateful I am. I might not say it as much, but I mean it more than you know.
Without you, I would have no clue what to look for when I finally begin to search for who I want to spend the rest of my life with. I have learned I deserve nothing but the best. To my future husband, you have major shoes to fill and I'm not sorry about it. Therefore, if you ask why my expectations are so high, it’s all because of you, Dad.
P.S — Thank you, too, Mom. I love you as well.
