Dear Dad,

Words are hard and that is why I write. It’s hard to explain to someone how much they mean to you. I hope that sometimes you can catch it in a smile, laugh, or the way someone looks at you but days are short and years seem to be even shorter somehow. So I’d like to stop and thank you for simply being my father and express how much I love you.

There are so many things I’d like to thank you for. But first, I’d like to thank you for being present. Not only present but loving. That alone is more than some people get and I don’t want to take that for granted. Secondly, thank you for raising me under Christ. This is by far the most important detail in raising children and congratulations; you did it. World’s best dad. Not even exaggerating.

Now, even though I laugh, roll my eyes, and act embarrassed when you dance or do silly things in public, I don’t mind so much. You definitely make life much more interesting! You show me that you enjoy spending time with me, even when I can be grumpy and no fun. Thank you for dancing with me to "Cinderella", even I know that song makes you cry. And thanks for those crazy nicknames.

You took me on my very first date, I dressed up, and you treated me like a princess and told me I should never settle for less. You called me beautiful on days that I didn’t feel like I was. “You can’t improve on perfection”, you would (and still) say. You ate my cooking, even when it was only just alright, and told me I’d make some man very happy one day. Thank you for showing me I was more valuable than rubies and more beautiful than gold. Thank you for setting my standards high.

Thank you for being patient with me, even when I’m stubborn.

Thank you for teaching me to drive, even when I know we were both terrified.

Thank you for painting my nails and doing my hair.

Thank you for trying to understand me when we don’t understand each other.

Thank you for setting an example of how a husband should love and lead his wife in Christ.

Thank you for setting an example of how a father should love and lead his children in Christ.

Dads have such an impact on children, more than they usually know. Children need their father there to walk with them through life. From the child’s first step to their walk across the graduation stage. This is just what you have done with me and I know will continue to do throughout many more stages of life. When times get crazy, you have always been there to support me and guide me. In the wise words or Ben Rector, “Life is not the mountain tops. It’s the walking in between.” Thank you for walking in the “in between” with me.

Love always,

Your princess