Let me start out by telling you that my father is the craziest man that I have ever met. Sometimes he makes me wonder who is actually the parent when he says things like "hey, pull my finger." He makes typical dad jokes, "why would you want to study a broad? I'm not paying all the money for you to study a woman." Most of his one liners are similar in nature.
He knows how to push my buttons more than anyone I have ever met. You would think after all this time he would understand that telling me to "relax" does not make the situation better. He doesn't understand how I cry at the most ridiculous things or what it's like to be a teenage girl. He is the biggest pain in the neck in the entire world, but that pain in the neck is my very best friend. He may infuriate me at times but he will never cease to make me laugh. He can make any situation look bright and is the first person I call when something goes wrong. He listens to me cry almost ever week and never hangs up the phone. He listens to the small stuff and the big stuff.
He let's me figure things out on my own. He guides me but never makes my decisions for me. He tells me it's okay to fail and to embrace my failures. He taught me that drive and ambition can take you anywhere. He has taught me that you can only grab a star if you really reach for it. He has taken father daughter swim classes. He picks up tampons for me when I have my period. He taught me that it's okay to grow up. He has taught me that respect is not something that you just give out, that it is earned.
He taught me that I deserve the best. He taught me to never let anyone treat me less than I deserve. He doesn't tell me that I am good enough but rather shows me. He showed me the way that a man should treat a woman every single day that he looked at my mom. He taught me to respect myself and my body. He showed me the kind of man that I wish to marry someday.
If It wasn't for him I wouldn't be the girl that I am today or shall I say the woman that I am today. He tells me that I am beautiful every single day and that beauty is not just a physical attribute, but a mental one as well. Without him I have no idea where I would be. His strength is inspiring. His kind heart is admirable. He has showed me how to be a good friend. He has showed me that I can achieve anything that I set my mind to. I one day hope to be half the person and parent that he is. He has given me nothing but love, support and strength. He is my role model. He is my best friend and he is my father. So thank you dad for everything that you do. I promise to always be your little girl no matter my age or my size. I will always love you. Thanks for being you.
