Dear Dad,

Let me just start out by thanking you so much for being in my life since day one. I see all of these other people around me who do not have relationships with their dads and I feel genuinely sorry for them because they are missing out big time. I feel like there is so much to be learned from a father figure, that you can’t learn from a mother or can only see when a mother and father are together. You and mom are so amazing and I would not be anywhere near the person that I am today without you two.

For starters, I know that if I need help with anything you will be there for me. I also know that if I have any random question about something going on in my life, you will have the answer. I LOVE that I can call you about literally anything and I think sometimes I take that for granted. So dad, I need you to know that all of those times I have called you from school with questions about my car, classes, or just to tell you funny situations I’ve gotten myself into, mean the world to me and make me smile whenever I think about them. I also love when I get those random calls from you just because you wanted to hear my voice. I definitely take for granted being able to Facetime you and mom when I just need a little taste of home. I know I act like being so far away from home is no biggie, but the truth is, sometimes I just wish I were there sitting on the couch with all of you and laughing, being around the type of love that only a family can provide.

Dad, I also really want you to know that you are such an inspiration and I hope that I continue to grow to be half of the person you are. I definitely do not thank you enough for every single little thing that you do to make my life easier while I’m at school. You work harder than anyone I know and I don’t tell you as often as I should just how motivating that is to see. I have experienced so many people pass through my life that just expect everything to be handed to them. But, being able to witness you working so hard at work every single day, even when you come home, continues to demonstrate to me that you will not get anywhere unless you work your butt off and put in the time.

I think one of the biggest things that I have learned from you is how to love and care for others. I am so lucky to be able to see you and Mom love each other unconditionally and see you love my sisters and I every single day. You have shown me that you must forgive and that if something goes wrong it is not the end of the world, you just address it and work past it. You act on this whenever my sisters and I do something wrong and sometimes you might be more disappointed than others, but you always express to us what we did and help us fix it or move on. So thank you dad, for loving us no matter what and being the world’s greatest father. You are so loved and a true role model.