Dads. Everyone has one (some may even have two). Regardless of the different types of relationships people may have with theirs, mine has always been special.

Yup, I'm a daddy's girl for sure, always have been and always will. But what that relationship has meant to me from the time that I met him (don't remember it, heard it was fun, though) to now, has drastically changed in some ways, but stayed the same in others.

For instance, growing up, my parents would have to take turns dressing me and somehow you could always tell whose job it was that day by what I wore. My typical wardrobe when it was my dad's turn consisted of gray t-shirts and hiking boots (basically what he wore, really). Luckily for him, that boyish style has more or less stuck with me throughout the years. So thank you, Dad, for my fashion sense.

And if anyone reading this inherited your dad's fashion sense, too, thank him for that because it sure makes getting dressed a hell of a lot easier.

Now that I'm in college and without an actual sport to play (because I am no D1 athlete), I love looking as far back as when I was five or six to when my dad taught me how to play soccer, and to all the years after that when he either coached or encouraged me to play all the sports that I did. I'd like to thank my dad for his coaching, cheering and overall support in my athletic endeavors, and for showing me that I can take on any physical challenge that's thrown my way. Yes, I may not have a collegiate game to play or meet to run in, but if I want to run a half marathon now, or 30 years in the future, I know I can do it if I work for it.

I've also been lucky to have a dad who demonstrates what it means to work hard and persevere.

There's no other man I know who works as hard as my dad does, and I'm sure at least some, if not all of you, feel the same about your dad, too. My dad's the kind of guy who works until the job is done and will do anything he can to help his family, others and the community. He has donated so much of his time throughout the years to projects and activities that he didn't have to, but still did anyway because it made one of his kids happy.

Heck, my first OU football game ever was against Tennessee, the school my dad used to call home, and even though the Sooners crushed the Vols, he was still happy to have gone with me.

That's right, my dad suffered quietly so that I could have my first OU football game. If that's not love, then I don't know what is.

So obviously this hardworking man is my role model and best friend, but I encourage you to think of the things you love about your dad, too. What does he mean to you? Is he your role model or confidante? Or is he your cheerleader, maybe even mentor?

Father's Day is months away so I'm sure some of you may be thinking what the heck, why is she writing about her dad now?

Well, random reader, you're right. There is no national holiday to call attention to my dad right now, nor has he done anything outstanding lately to make me think of him.

However, he's just my dad and I love him.

And I don't think I let him know what he means to me regularly, so this, Dad, is my open letter to you.

You rock and I appreciate you.

I hope anyone else who's reading this can tell their own dad that, too.