Being your only daughter and child, you were always tough on me, but also let me have my way every now and then. I never really understood why until I grew up. You always told me that I would say that too. There is a reason why I wrote your letter separate from my mother's. Even though you both are the best parents I can ever ask for, you play a very different role as a parent than my mother. Here are just a few things that I cannot thank you enough for.
1. You taught me to wait for the right man.
Growing up, and sometimes even now, I am in such a rush to find a man to be with. However, you constantly remind me that it is better to know my worth first. You always told me that I was beautiful inside and out, and the man that sees that worth and that beauty on his own will be the one for me.
2. You taught me how to defend myself.
I will never forget the time you taught me self-defense in our living room. I was getting bullied in school at the time and you were not having it. You always said that if someone ever put me in danger, I should always be prepared. I am a stronger and smarter woman because of that lesson.
3. You gave me freedom.
Let's be real, you were and still are the cooler parent. There have been times where you have let me do things that my mom would never let me do. You understood that when I went off to college, that I had to make my own decisions. However, I will say that some of those decisions I needed some guidance on.
4. You gave me your funny personality.
You are always cracking cheesy jokes at the worst time possible, which is exactly what I do. I would not trade that for the world. You have a great personality and constantly make people smile and laugh. I am so glad I got that trait from you.
5. You work all the time.
This is something that most kids usually complain about. However, I am glad I have a dad that works like a mad man. Not because you are away all the time, but because of the reason you work. You have always worked hard so that our family could have everything we needed.
6. You have always supported my dreams of singing.
From auditioning for X-Factor to doing karaoke night, you have always encouraged me to get on stage and sing whenever I got the chance. You taught me to not let my God-given gift go to waste. I also say the same to you, because you can carry a tune as well.
I love you, daddy. You will always be the number one man in my life.
