Daddy,

I’m writing this to you because I don’t think I express my gratitude towards you enough. You are my rock when times get tough, you are my anchor when life is choppy, but most importantly you are there when nobody else is.

So, thank you. Thanks for the hugs whenever I needed them, reminding me of my worth, always giving me the world and teaching me how to be the best version of myself. There are too many things I'm thankful for to mention in this, so I have narrowed it down into just a few...

1. Your bear hugs

I wouldn’t have made it through the past 18 years of my life without those hugs. Your hugs picked me up out of my darkest times and gave me comfort when I felt alone. When it felt like everyone had turned their backs on me, you were there with open arms.

2. Your jokes

You have got to be the most sarcastic person I know, and I love it. I got my sense of humor from you, and it is probably one of my best qualities (thanks to you). Not only is your sense of humor golden, but I appreciate it the most when I’m complaining about life and you sit there and make fun of how ridiculous I am being. It gets annoying, but it always made me rethink what I was bothered by. Let’s also not forget the times you’ve made fun of my friends too. We all love you for it.

3. Your job

I am probably one of the most musically well rounded 18 year old girls you will ever meet. This is all thanks to my dad’s job.

I have probably been to over a thousand concerts, been exposed to every single genre of music, and I have learned to appreciate music. I could name a song from Santana , Bon Jovi, ACDC, Frank Sinatra, Vance Gilbert, Arlo Guthrie, Southside Johnny, The Slambovians, and many more. While most stereotypical teenagers these days listen to the mainstream pop, and hip-hop music, I have grown up exposed to many other genres and can jam out to almost anything. (Don’t get me wrong, I still listen to pop and hip-hop). Honestly though, one of the best parts of your job is being able to travel the world and if I don’t get to tag along on a trip, I get a souvenir.

4. Your cooking

I have to say, you are a good cook. You taught me how to cook at a young age, which is something I am so appreciative of. We bond over cooking, and we even competed in a cook-off together. It will forever be one of my favorite memories with you. Without you, I wouldn’t make a killer alfredo sauce, or know how to make Italian eggs benedict. Your cooking has also formed my taste in food. I like things that most people don’t, like mushrooms, and intricate dishes. But I will still never like seafood. Sorry :).

5. Your taste in TV shows

I love starting a new Netflix series, and you walking into the living room and sitting down and getting hooked on my show. Everyone knows that Netflix shows are better when you have someone to talk about them with. Not only is it fun watching them with you, but it’s even more fun making fun of each other's’ reactions to the TV.

6. Your generosity

Not once in my life can I remember you putting yourself or anybody else before you put me. You work so hard to provide me with everything I could ask for in life, you make sure I'm happy, and you have dealt with my expensive beauty treatments and ridiculous shopping sprees time and time again. Not only have you worked extremely hard to give me what I wanted, but there was never a time that I felt like I didn’t have everything I needed.

There are a lot of things that I love about you, Dad. But these are the most important ones. Thanks for being the best dad a girl could ask for, but most importantly thank you for being my best friend. I couldn’t have been more blessed to be your daughter. I love you.

With Love Always,

Your Kiddo aka Delia :) <3