Dear Dad,

I am writing this letter to thank you for all the things you have done for me in my life. From changing diapers all the way to being at my baseball games. Thank you for letting me get the opportunity to pursue my dreams. You introduced me to baseball when I was three years old when we went to a St. Louis Cardinal game. That I was the day I fell in love with the game and I owe it all to you.

You helped me get on a team with all my friends when I was five so that I could have all the fun in the world. You were there at every game cheering me on. I know that this is going to be something that we both will be doing until I am done playing the game forever, whether it's my last year at school or my final season in my professional career.

When you got sick, I thought my dream was shattering. Watching you go through that pain was too much and many nights I broke down in tears thinking that I might lose you. But like you always told me, God has a plan for everyone. It was a miracle and you beat cancer and my dream continued with you by my side.

You took it to the next level when you became my head coach on my travel team. Yes, you were always the hardest on me, but it helped me develop a thick skin for later in my life. Although you always yelled at me the most, I knew you were my #1 fan. From Springfield to Rockford and from St. Louis to Memphis, you were there for me 100% of the way.

When I hit high school, I put my dream on hold in order to play football. You knew I would still play baseball but you wanted me to try football, and to expand my horizons. You were still the #1 fan you always were when I played baseball. You were there when I caught my first pass my freshman year. I remember running to the first down marker and immediately looking towards our bleachers to find you cheering. With all the injuries I suffered from football, you still knew my dream was baseball.

It was time to pick a college. The day we went up to Carl Sandburg College will always be remembered in my mind. When we first got to Galesburg, we got lost trying to find the school. When we finally found it, we couldn't find the place where the baseball team worked out in the winter. As we walked inside the facility, the nerves rushed over me. But you looked at me and said, "Remember to relax and show this coach why you deserve to be on the team." After my tryout and visit around the campus, I told you on the way home, "This is the school I am going to."

After I graduated from Carl Sandburg, you were with me the day I came to William Woods. You gave me a hug and said, "This is where you will succeed as a student and as a player."

Thank you, Dad, for all the things that I sometimes take for granted. One of these days, I will repay you. Because I couldn't ask for a better dad than you.

Love,

Your Son Ryan