To my Daddyoo...

With life seeming so precious to me lately I found myself sitting at my favorite spot in Boston reflecting on what shaped me and how I got to where I am today. Each of these questions were quickly followed by one simple answer: my father.

So, here it is dad. An attempt to express how much I value everything you've provided and taught me, from noticing the little serendipities life has to offer to accepting why things unfold the way they do you have always seemed to guide me the right way.

Thank you for giving me my wanderlust-driven heart...

My fondest memories of my childhood consists of all those spontaneous adventures you took us on, for those vivid memories of nature's beauty in my head will never fade. I can still close my eyes at night and see those stars that twinkled so magnificently when camping in the Grand Canyon. I can still feel the warmth on my skin when just you and I set out on a kayaking journey in Bermuda.

I can still remember how brave I thought you all were for jumping from that gorge in Kauai. I will most definitely never forget how afraid I felt off roading on that mountain's edge in Utah. And my most cherished, I will never forget the magic of snowboarding during snowfall in Tremblant while being surrounded by my family. From picking me up from preschool in a carriage connected to your mountain bike to taking me out wave-running at the beach, you are the reason adventure runs through my veins and that is something so precious in itself.

Thank you for always being my safe haven...

There has never been a time I can think of where I've felt like I could not openly talk to you about all the troubles in my life and feel as if you would not accept me. The more I grow, the more I find that plain and simple concept is uncommon in many father-daughter relationships and it just makes my appreciation for you deepen.

You have created so much comfort in my life and coming home this Thanksgiving made me realize how lucky I am to have such an open relationship with not only you but with mom and the boys as well. This all roots and branches from you. I will forever cherish our car ride chats and fire pit reflections and will be certain to make my children feel the way I feel about our family dynamic, for it is something so priceless and perfect.

Thank you for never grounding me...

Man oh man, there were so many times I can remember where I wish you had just grounded me because hearing the words "I'm not mad, just disappointed" was so much more painful than staying in for a month would have ever been. This taught me how important it is to realize the value of trust. It is hard to gain, but easy to lose. I now live my life and choose my actions based on the underlying teaching of this lesson.

Thank you for showing me how a man should treat a woman...

I have never seen more of a beautiful, inspiring, and loving relationship as you and mom in my life. I feel lucky to have been raised by two parents who are so captivatingly in love. Recently I have found such an appreciation for the way you love Mom. I can't help but notice the compassion in your eyes when you look at her, you have such a tell when it comes to your facial expressions. There's so much magic in how, without speaking a word, I can see your past together and how you felt falling in love with her. I can see your appreciation for her now in the present, and I can see your excitement to continue to spend the rest of your life with her in your future.

All of this is revealed simply in the way you look at her. But what I am most grateful for is how you were her rock through her cancer. I can't even fathom how different my life would be if you weren't, for Mom always says she survived for her family. You are our rock, Dad. I hope you know my heart is molded in the shape of the love you two have showed me. You two are the reason I believe in love and I cannot wait for the day I find a man half as good as you.

Thank you for raising me like your third son...

Honestly, and I know you all know this, but I take so much pride in being raised in a household of boys. I cannot even begin to tell you how important it was to me as a child to be seen as "one of the guys." I remember the day Evan hung my Barbies (headless) from the stairwell in the McDermott's house and thinking that I'll never be cool enough to hang out with him, but you changed that.

When the boys left for school I really feel like I stepped into that role of the third son, going to hockey games, watching history documentaries, even a little Tosh.0 against Mom's preference. When taking into count all the things I enjoy and am passionate about, they all have one origin...you.

You are the reason I can watch documentaries for days, you are the reason I have such a passion for history and politics, you are the reason I can fight someone on hockey trivia, you are the reason I vow to never return to the Eagles stadium (lol). You are what makes me me and I really think I'd be lost without you.

Every little girl grows up looking up to their father, but I haven't stopped. I am so grateful for you and could not imagine having a better father. The list of thank yous and gratitude can go on forever. I just hope as your sitting in your office reading this it makes your day a little better, just as you always make mine. I cannot wait to come home and make even more memories that will last me a lifetime. I am so lucky to have you.

Forever Your Brown Eyed Girl,

Corriney