Dear Dad,

For nineteen years, you watched me grow up and kept me safe from dangers in the world. And, through all those nineteen years, I never really thanked you for all you do.

From skinned knees to a broken heart, you were there for everything. When you were on the force and left late at night to work midnights, I'd fall asleep hoping you'd come home safe and sound. Come the morning I'd wake up extra early just to greet you before leaving for school. As the years went by and I got older, I stopped waking up at the crack of dawn to say hello; school, homework, and extracurriculars kept me drained and a few extra minutes of sleep soon became more precious to me than greeting you the minute you walked through the door. Still, I always hoped that you'd stay safe during the night, even if I never said it.

Like almost all fathers and daughters, we may not always agree, but you always know what's best for me. You knew before anyone that that boy wasn't good for me, yet you didn't say "I told you so" when I chose to stay with him and got my heart broken over and over. When my "friends" began to get flighty, you reminded me how much better off I am without them; you taught me to stand up for myself and not let anyone walk all over me.

I'm stubborn, so I'll never actually admit it, but I thoroughly enjoy the quality time we spend together. All the impromptu trips to the diner and conversations about what it was like when you were growing up mean a lot to me. Stories about your 23 years on the force always amaze me no matter how many times I hear them. I have to say though, some stories getting a little redundant, but still, they're always fun to listen to.

While you've been there for (and somehow managed to stay sane through) things like my Sweet Sixteen, senior prom, high school graduation, earning my Associate's degree, and random way-too-in-depth rants on TV shows, movies, and books, we both have to prepare for my journey towards my Bachelor's degree. We both will have to be ready for any changes life and my new college throws our way.

Even so, we've made it through nineteen years of my life together. I have a pretty strong feeling we can manage a few more years of college. I'll do my best to keep my grades and GPA up as well as keep making you proud. So far, I think I've got a pretty good shot at achieving that little personal goal. I'll try and make some new friends; maybe I'll even stop being so stubborn and listen the next time you give your opinion on the company I start to keep. After all, you've always known what's best for me.

Love always,

Your little girl