With Father's Day having just passed, I wanted to share a few personal memories with one of the most important people in my life: my father. Thanks Dad for all the brilliant memories you've given me, I couldn't ask for a better father.

Memory #1

The lights and colors of the glowing screen reflect on me, I'm sitting next to the one person I can trust fully and completely. Dad is playing one of his favorite games but it's one I'll never understand. He's moving the mouse all over his mouse pad and he's pressing all kinds of different keys. I see a figure which is clearly some kind of humanoid thing. Other players are shooting at him and he's shooting back.

It's late but I don't care because it's a weekend which means I don't have school. I have some peace and sanity for a brief moment in my young life. Dad's is a safe haven. There is no shouting, there is no fighting, there is no shoving, there is no arguing, there is no pain, just silence. I am protected. I am carefree. I am happy.

Dad closes the game for the night. We talk about all kinds of stuff, typical things a father and daughter talk about. Somehow we find our way onto the topic of traveling. “We should take a trip.” Dad decides.

“Where?” I ask. Dad thinks for a moment before deciding on New York. We decide we'll leave for a short trip to the Big Apple tomorrow. I am so excited! New York City, what an adventure!

We say goodnight and I go to bed, happy and excited for tomorrow's events.

The following day comes and we drive up to the famous city. There are lots of cars in front and around us. We don't move as quickly as I know Dad would like to but I don't care. Since we have a long ride ahead of us, this gives Dad and I plenty of time to talk. Car rides with Dad are my favorite trips, we talk for so long and we talk about everything, it's amazing! I wish we could have more time together but I know I have to see my mom too.

We finally arrive at the city and the feeling is one of pure joy and excitement. We decide to visit the most well known area of New York, Times Square. There's so many buildings and people around us! There's billboards and moving screens with so

Dad and I tour and shop, exploring for hours. It's so much fun! When we finally get hungry, we go to the Hard Rock Cafe and I love every second of it. I view all the cool music collectibles, the experience is wonderful. I've never been to such a neat restaurant before!

When it's time to leave, I am sad and I feel we haven't been in New York long enough but I know I must get back... the peace I've experienced will be gone... until next weekend with Dad of course!

Memory #2

There is a low but deep rumble a little ways away, there are people from all over talking and laughing, I am snapping pictures like there's no tomorrow because there's so much to look at and so many things to photograph! The various colors and designs are some of my favorite things, I didn't realize there was such an assortment to look at. There are bright oranges, light blues, dark blues, just like Dad's, reds and so many

These GTO car shows are some of my favorite experiences! The people Dad and I have met are amazing and I've learned so much about these cars since being here. I feel like I've developed a stronger interest in cars but that interest might only be in GTOs, it's hard to say. One thing's for sure: I like being a young female who understands car lingo a little.

I look around some more. I'm really curious about this new thing they're trying, Dad told me we're going for some kind of ride where all the GTOs are going to follow each other as we drive to where ever. It's some kind of GTO cruise and it sounds fun. I like the idea of riding in Dad's super cool car with all the winding roads. Someday I'll drive this car.

All the drivers start getting in their cars and Dad instructs me to do the same, once I'm settled off we go. All of the GTOs start and it's an amazing sound. Different roars and rumbles sound, Dad's included. I keep wondering how people are going to react when we all drive by them. I think there's around a hundred or so GTOs.

We are somewhere in the middle of all the cars and I look around as we drive. I'm seeing places I've never even seen before! It's exciting. Dad and I talk as we drive, talking about the cars sometimes and other GTO events we've been to or are coming up. We talk about other stuff as well. It's a long ride but it's one of the most peaceful and awesome car rides. I think I've cherished every car ride I've had with my father, it's always been the perfect bonding time.

After we've been driving for awhile, we get lunch in this tiny restaurant with some of the GTO guys and while it's no Hard Rock Cafe, it's still a fun lunch.

Eventually the line of GTOs dwindles down and everyone breaks off and heads home, I'm sad it's over but it was still an unforgettable trip and experience!

Memory #3

I can't believe the day is here, I'm so nervous... what if I fail? How can I manage the work and classes? I feel tired, I spent too much time up and thinking last night. I shift in the car and then wince, my back hurts. I must have slept wrong last night when I did fall asleep.

I talk to Dad, trying to keep my mind off of my impending doom. We pass a sign “Lock Haven, 1 mile” oh man we're nearly there. How am I going to survive without him!? I take a small breath, trying to fight the water brimming at the corner of my eye.

I try and tell myself I won't be alone yet I already feel alone. Can I just go back to being a kid? We drive further before I see “Lock Haven University” and an arrow telling us where to go. I'm texting someone to let them know I'm almost there, I'm trying to pretend I'm excited but I've been dreading this more than looking forward to it.

I look over at the person who's protected me all my life, he's so calm and collected, I wish I was like him. “I'm so nervous.” I tell him, “You'll be okay” he reassures me. I'm so far from home, I have difficulty in finding comfort in that. I take the smallest of breaths and look at my stuff all packed in the car. This is one car ride I'm not happy about.

We arrive at the school, there's people everywhere and there's signs everywhere. I look for “McEntire Hall.” It takes a moment before we find it, it's all the way up the huge hill. We drive up and pass “North Hall” before seeing another hill, up that one we go before finally parking in front of McEntire. A dorm room with a stranger... I feel like I'm going to die.

Excited kids greet us with large yellow bins, I'm told to go sign in and my parents will get my stuff. I glance fearfully at my dad before checking in. Everything feels so intimidating. I sign my contract and head to the elevators as instructed, heading up to my room.

It's the fourth floor and it's tiny. The walls are bare, there are two desks, beds, closets and dressers. The walls are made of cinder block and the windows are small, suddenly I feel like I'm in a prison. I hug my dad before getting my stuff situated. We explore the campus, I know Dad is slightly frustrated we didn't come up for Open House but that's my own fault since I didn't tell him.

We explore everywhere and I find most of my class buildings. Dad tells me he needs to head out after a bit but he and mom take me to get things I need from the Wal-Mart nearby. I cherish these last few moments. How can I be here and my parents home, three hours away from me

We drive the short distance back and it is the quietest, most fearful drive back I've ever experienced with my father. My tears threaten to come once more but I try and fight them. My parents escort me back to my room before deciding to head back, I hug my dad and I sob, I sob for awhile. I'm never going to make it through these long four years. Dad comforts me... and then Mom. Finally they head out and I watch them leave until I can no longer see them.

I am alone for once in my life and it's scary as anything. The visits and phone calls to home are some of the best and most important I've ever experienced but that bear hug from Dad on graduation day made all the fear, stress, and work worth every second. I have never felt more proud of myself than that moment. I succeeded and I did the one thing I always told myself I would-- I made my dad proud of me and I will keep that in my memory forever.

I love you Dad, thanks for all the memories so far and for all the future memories to come.