We all know Valentine’s Day is a day of appreciation for the ones we love. We spoil our parents, children, lovers and friends with gifts, cards and all things pink and red with hearts all over. We write something sweet in greeting card, and sign it with an "xoxo."

Taking the time to acknowledge the ones around us who we love is a very special thing. If your family is anything like mine, you probably get a little gift and a meaningful card from your parents on Valentine’s Day. My dad always got me a card and chocolate, flowers or some type of little gift. He always made me feel like I was the most special girl in the world. Unfortunately, my dad isn’t here on Earth with us anymore. This being my first Valentine’s Day without him, I can’t help but think about how appreciative I am to have had him spoil me all these years.

I wanted to take the time to write a Valentine’s card to him for this holiday to show him how special he is to me. This can serve as a Valentine’s greeting card for all the girls who want to send their dads a message in heaven as well.

Dear Daddy,

I can’t help but see your face when I see other people appreciating their fathers like I used to when you were here. I remember the times you spoiled me and treated me like I was the most important person in the world. I wish we could have those times back. It doesn’t seem fair, and I still can’t believe you are gone. It shocks me every day. Why are other people here when you are not? But ultimately, I don’t want to dwell on the times we have lost. I want to take the time to thank you for the amount of special times we had when we were together.

First of all, I miss you. And, I want to thank you for making your time on earth with me a time filled with so much love. I even want to thank you now for allowing me to hold that love with me everywhere I go. I take a piece of you with me everywhere. When I have a big event going on in my life, I think of you. When I am sad, I think of you. When I am happy, I think of you.

Even though we are not together in this life on this earth anymore, I feel extremely lucky to know that you were a part of my life and completely shaped who I was. I don’t know what I did, but I must have done something right to deserve someone as incredible as you as my daddy.

The impact you had on my life is one so great that words can’t even do it justice. You hear a lot of people say that they think they have the best dad in the world. But I really did. I never had to question your love for me. Your overprotective nature and constant support showed me that you loved me without having to say anything.

I know you would have loved me even when I failed. When I’m stressed, I remember that no problem is too big to handle, and I remind myself of the encouragement you used to give me.

People always tell me how proud you would be of me, but I already know you are. Even when I have bad days and feel anything but worthy enough, I know you are proud of me. And for that I am thankful.

I am thankful you gave me your sense of humor, your ears, your wit, your full-loving heart, your strength and perseverance and your strong-willed attitude.

I don’t need any special day to talk to you and tell you how incredibly grateful I am that you passed all your love onto me, but I didn’t want this day of love to pass without saying, “I love you, Daddy.” And I always will.

Love always,

Your little girl