Dad,

I’m writing this to you because I feel like I am never able to express just how much you truly mean to me. Since I was a little girl, you were the one man I had always looked up to. Growing up, you instantly won my heart as my biggest fan. You were always front row cheering me on at every softball, soccer or basketball game, and your loud voice would always echo through the stands. Your talks after every game about what I needed to work on truly pushed me to be better at anything I do. These talks of course were not always easy to hear, but I thank you for saying it all in a way that pushed me to be better, and to never give up.

All those long road trips to and from tournaments and college visits across the east coast showed me that all you need is a little time to let the traffic die down. Not just regarding the drives, but in life it is important to sit back and wait til the time is just right to accomplish things that otherwise could take double the time. These trips also taught me the three simple facts I take with me everywhere I go “God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy”.

When you first taught me how to drive I was so excited to finally be able to go places on my own. I never imagined that it meant losing the times with you that I had always took for granted. Nights without mom and the girls used to be full of talks of the latest news that caught me off guard, the oddly satisfying and intriguing shows on the History Channel and of course the trip into town for ice cream. Regardless of what we did, I always felt happy and never bored because it was time I got to spend with you. As I got older, these nights slowly diminished due to the time I spent out with my friends and I can never truly apologize enough for letting that go.

No matter how old I was, you were always able to talk to me about things. Regardless of if it was something minor like how I need work on my foot skills for my next soccer game to a serious family issue that if approached by anyone else I would shut down. I have never thanked you for that either, and for that I am sorry because we both know how crazy I can get when things aren’t okay.

You were always there to push me and make me a better version of myself, and help guide me when I felt like I was in a dead end. You continue to make me stronger by encouraging me to branch out and find a way to make things work in my favor, You have never put me down and for that I put you on this pedestal that I look up to everyday and hope that I find someone in my life that will make me happy and love my kids as you love me. Thank you for all you for me, I love you so much and even at the end of this, as tears stream down my face, I am happy and beyond proud to call you my dad.

Love,

Your Daughter