Sometimes, we forget to thank the people to whom we owe most of our thanks. We fail to acknowledge how much of ourselves we truly owe to other people. We are products of our environment, results of the inspiration we get day to day. I owe so much of the person I am today to my father; my biggest cheerleader and my best buddy from day one. This is a tribute to the time we have spent together and the lessons I have learned during the most exciting ride.

Dear Dad,

Dad jokes, old baseball hats, forcing me to play golf, road trip sing-alongs to miscellaneous '80s songs, hand-me-down college sweatshirts... where to begin? It's a special connection a girl has with her father. I could thank you for all the ways that you inspire me every day. For all the time spent at tennis matches and school performances; for all the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches packed and the spiders killed.

But, instead, I want to thank you for all the things you have taught me that, when added up, make me who I am. You have taught me to never stop making jokes, because for every five duds there is at least one gem. You have taught me to never waste a moment crying over something dumb, to save my tears for something important, like a broken arm. You taught me that what people think is funny nowadays is nothing compared to the comedy magic made before the 2000s. You taught me how to make puns.

You taught me that pretending like you're walking downstairs never gets old and that I'm never too old to laugh at the walrus and chopstick trick. You taught me that the only man I can ever fully trust is you, and then Will Ferrell, because he seems like a really cool guy. You taught me to never take criticisms personally and to always treat life as a work in progress. Because of you, I know how to sink a putt. I know how to laugh and will always remember the importance of that. I know how to view every day as a clean slate and another mountain to be climbed.

You're the biggest goofball I know; a warmhearted, brilliant man with a wonderful laugh and a wise soul. The beauty and power you have given me, the strength to take on every single day and to live without fear. I am forever grateful for everything you have bestowed upon me and for everything you have taught me. I am unbelievably proud of the family you have raised. You have raised me to respect myself as much as those who love me.

I cherish our time, Dad. I love trips to get bagels, and yard work, and movie marathons, and you attempting to teach me how football works and quickly giving up when I call a touchdown a goal. I am thankful for that time. It is because of that time that I am who I am and I will continue to grow into who I will be years from now.

Sending a big "I will always love you" to my main man. You mean the world to me.