Dear Daddy,

You are such a unique human and I have a million and one things to thank you for. Most girls grow up and have these memories of being “daddy’s little girl” with all the precious memories that coincide. I, however, am a rare breed of girls I have deemed – daddy’s little tomboy.

Now I don’t want you to think that I am sad that I don’t fit into the daddy’s little girl category. That category is full of girls are used to getting things handed to them on a silver platter and we both know that’s not me. You gave me the privilege of teaching me that nothing comes easy and I have to work, really, really hard, for things that I want.

Another thing you taught me – how I need to stand up for myself and really mean it. As a kid, you never took pity on me over the boys or cut me any slack because I was a girl. Now at the time, I thought that was just plain dumb, but now I know why you did it. Growing up, I had brothers to protect me so I could have easily come out a softy. You and the boys wouldn’t let that happen and now I’m glad you didn’t. I can hold my own and I'm not scared to stand up for what I believe in.

As daddy’s little tomboy some of my favorite memories with you are the ones of us on some sort of sports field, playing video games (which I was never good at), or wrestling with the boys. I never really fit in with the other girls my age, but you made me feel like that was okay. Without even knowing it, you taught me that playing sports and wanting to hang with the boys was okay even though it wasn’t “normal”. Having you on the sidelines of almost every single one of my games growing up was the most important thing in the world to me. Being out there and knowing that I had my number one fan (and mom of course) was all I ever needed for that extra boost of confidence or energy to get me through my games.

Our relationship was by no means conventional. I didn’t grow up getting hugs and kisses from my daddy. For a while, I did resent that, but now I appreciate it. You see, I think that growing up a tomboy, or your third son as I often say, only made our bond stronger. Growing up, I wasn’t the little girl who dreamed about her daddy walking her down the aisle or the father-daughter dance at her wedding. I thought “my dad and I will probably just high five at the door of the church.” Our bond was different because I was different and you made me feel safe and comfortable with who I was.

Now I understand and appreciate the bond that we have. I know that the father-daughter dance at my wedding will be one of the most important parts, and sure we can still end it with a high five. At the end of the day dad, growing up as your little tomboy was one of the biggest blessings I could have asked for. Love you to the moon and back daddy.

- Your little tomboy