Dear Dad,

Thank you for the countless times you’ve told me how beautiful I am. You’re the only man I’ve always believed was telling me the truth. No one can ever make me feel as beautiful as you do. Speaking of telling the truth, thank you for always doing so. No matter how hard it hurt, no matter how bad I didn’t want to hear it, you always gave it to me straight. Thank you for not only showing me that telling the truth is the best way to go, but for allowing me to be stronger because of it. Nothing makes me feel safer than knowing my father always has my back and will tell me how it is, no matter what.

Thank you for being the ultimate role model, inspiration, and expectation. I look up to you because you’ve always been such a hard worker, so determined, and so in charge of your life. No one can tell you bullshit, because you won’t take it. You have always fought for the way others treat you, and you’ve taught me the same thing. I’ve become so strong watching you and learning from you, so thank you. You have set the standards as for what a man looks like, acts like, and treats others like. If any of my readers know my dad, those standards are pretty high just by those three categories.

Speaking of standards, thank you for showing me what it looks like to love someone unconditionally. Not only with me, but with Mom. I have never witnessed a love more beautiful than your and Mom's. I love watching you both love each other, even when you're fighting over who's going to do the dishes after dinner. I am so lucky to have been a part of a family lead by two ever-loving people.

Dad, thank you for letting me grow up. I’ll always be your little girl with bright blue eyes and wavy strawberry blonde hair. No matter how much makeup I wear or how much I dye my hair, I’ll always be that girl to you. But, thank you for letting me make my mistakes through life and experience things the way I wanted to experience them as I grew. More importantly, thank you for being there throughout those experiences and mistakes.

I won’t ever be able to thank you enough for the things you gave up for me. The gymnastics memberships, cheerleading uniforms, gymnastics leotards, bows, countless hours spent driving to and from meets and cheerleading competitions, and all those times you had to come get me from practice because I was hurt. And let’s not forget all the times you had to talk me down from crying because I was frustrated with the sport. Taking your time away you’re your job just for me, I can’t ever repay you for that. Without everything you did for me, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am right now. I will never be able to truly put into words how thankful I am for you.

You taught me how to tell the difference between Def Leppard and Led Zepplin, even though I still struggle when you ask me in the car. Thanks for allowing me to appreciate music of all generations. Every once in a while, a song you like comes on the radio and I can’t help but wait until it’s over to leave for class, even if it means I’m late. The song is always worth it, right? I fully expect to have our Father-Daughter dance to “It Doesn’t Matter” by the Killer Dwarfs at my wedding. It just makes sense. A Woah-Woah-Yeah it does.

Much love,

Your loving daughter

P.S. don’t worry, Mom, I’ll write you one, too.