Dear Dad,

When I was young, I never was a "daddy's girl," but I never once didn't enjoyed your company. You taught me how to swim; we would go on bike rides; you would help me study for history tests (since you loved history), and would always play catch in the backyard with me.

For a while things were complicated; I became a teenager and you moved out, but you were always my dad. When I was in high school, I was that girl that told myself I wasn't going to even go to college, but you inspired me to go. Years passed by and I grew up, got a job, and started community college. We did not have the greatest relationship at first, but one thing I loved you for was you always believed in me, no matter how many times I did wrong.

You never once stopped encouraging me to keep going or to give up. There were a numerous amount of times, I let you down or let myself down, and every time you told me it would be OK and to keep moving forward. So I did. There were a lot of people that told me I couldn't do it, or won't go away to college, or even believed in me. But you did, and that was enough for me.

Here I am today, away at college and enjoying life. I could not have done it without you or your support. You are the reason I am not giving up. I don't want to disappoint myself, but most importantly, I do not want to disappoint you. Everyday you remind me on why I deserve happiness. I am more confident with not only myself but the direction my life is leading me.

I hope you know how much I appreciate you. I can't thank you enough for everything you do, but I will continue to try. Thank you for making me a better person and for giving me a beautiful life to live.

And especially, thank you for believing in me when no one else did.

Love,

Your little girl