To the other half of my golf two-some,

When I started writing for Odyssey, your immediate response was to request that I write an article about you. With every week that followed, you praised me for the articles I wrote and encouraged me to continue writing about topics that I am passionate about, topics that mean the most to me, while subtly reminding me you were still “waiting on your article." And though I know you were joking (because I think you actually hate to have the spotlight on you), it must not come as a complete shock that one of my articles is actually all about you, Dad, because you’re what means the most to me.

From the day I was born, I’ve held a love and admiration for you and Mom that has never faltered or changed. In fact, my love and admiration for the two of you simply continues to grow. I struggle to find the words that explain how much you truly mean to me, and I think this is because there is no amount of words, no beautifully phrased sentence or elegant quote, that can sum it all up. Words can’t accurately describe how proud I am to be the daughter of such a loving man, father, friend, husband, and son. They cannot sum up what has thus far been a twenty year relationship in a way that would even remotely do it justice. And yet, I am still going to try (because I’m stubborn, I get that from you, by the way.)

For as long as I can remember I have been told “You are your father’s daughter," and growing up, I didn’t really understand the huge compliment that this was. At six years old, when someone says, “you’re just like your dad," you don’t think of it figuratively. You think of it literally. And so, while six-year-old me thought I looked like a man, twenty-year-old me realizes the truly beautiful blessing it is to be just like my father.

To be just like my father means that I am kind.

It means that I am smart.

It means that I am loyal, and loving.

It means that I am funny, and sometimes a little sarcastic.

It means that I am a good friend.

… a good listener,

… a hard worker.

Basically, being told that I am “just like my father” is just about the greatest compliment I could ever receive.

Over the last twenty years of my life, I have been blessed to grow up in a home where my parents supported my brother and I in every dream we attempted to pursue. I have grown up in a place where I have, and always will, feel unconditionally loved. I have watched my father succeed in countless endeavors, and learned from him that when you don’t succeed, that’s okay, too. I have learned from my parents that even in a world where it seems like marriages almost never work anymore, if you have the right person by your side, you’ll be even more in love 25+ years later than the day you said, “I do." I can only hope to one day be able to give back to you and Mom tenfold for everything you two have done for me.

Thank you, Dad, for showing me what it means to be a good friend to someone, and for showing me that good friendships can last a lifetime. For setting an example; for showing me how I should be treated by my future husband, and reminding me to never allow any man to treat me in a way that is less than I deserve. For instilling in me a work ethic that is unparalleled. For constantly reminding me that family comes first, and that nothing can break a strong family bond. For being a friend. For being a coach. For being a mentor and therapist when I needed to talk. For being a taxi driver when I needed to go twelve different places in one day. Most importantly, thank you for being my dad.

Sometimes I long to be back in that time when I was the little blonde two year old girl attached at your hip because I know now what I must have known then, and that’s that nothing bad in the world can happen with you by my side. As I continue to grow and pursue my dreams, I know that regardless of where they take me, near or far, I am ready to take them on, because I will always have you on my team, by my side, and in my heart.

I love you always,

Your little girl.

P.S. When you read this, I just wanted to take a quick second to thank you for being so patient while waiting all these weeks for "your article."

*Some loving sarcasm intended*