They say that a girl will marry a man like her father, and you set the bar incredibly high.
From birth, I was your everything. You looked at me like I was perfect, spending hours at a time just holding me. You were willing to drive back to grandma's house which was a 40-minute drive when I forgot my blanket. You didn't complain when I had a dirty diaper.
Your work ethic is incredible. You showed me how to be selfless and taught me motivation through so much more than just your career. I was in love with softball, and you knew that. You wanted me to be the best I could be. I know some nights when we would go practice in grandma and grandpa's basement, you were tired as all get out. Some nights you probably didn't even want to go, but you did it anyway because you were looking out for me. We never told anyone how hard I worked throughout the years because you taught me not to be conceited and to be humble with my hard work. You put so much money and time into something that I wanted. You pushed me to be better, to work harder, and to never give up on something I loved. There were times when I just screamed because I wasn’t getting it right, and all you did was listen. You were an incredible listener. The car rides to practices and tournaments were always times I could talk to you about anything. I can remember when you made so much fun of me for making these insane faces in the passenger seat. I loved every moment of that.
You also introduced me to one of my biggest passions, hunting. The first time you ever took me to the woods, I remember bringing my Scooby-Doo backpack with Barbies in it to play for hours. We never saw anything that day, but just the fact that you took me out to the woods was enough for me. As time went on and I got older, I actually wanted to go out to the woods with you. Remember all those times when you would stay awake while I slept in the blind and you’d wake me up when a deer came out? You were more excited about the kill than I was, and I made you proud. You taught me how to gut a deer, too.
During our conversations, you would never judge me- no matter how crazy the topic was.
You held me when I would cry about stupid boys, you would listen to me complain about them, and over the years, you showed me what I deserve.
You were my number one, my best friend, my rock. I love you so much dad. Thank you for being so good to me.
