Growing up, I've seen countless movies that portray fathers as deadbeat alcoholics that abandoned their children and their responsibilities, but why is it that I can barely count on two hands the number of movies that show supportive, caring and present fathers? Why are there so few movies about single parent dads? Why is it that movies show dads being less involved in their children's lives after a divorce?

My dad isn't a single father and he didn't raise me on his own, but he also wasn't absent my entire life, and I think it's time someone talked about the other side of fathers. I love my mom with all my heart and she is one of my best friends, but I wouldn't be the person I am today without my dad.

I like to think my dad saved me when I was at my lowest point, and for that, I'll be forever grateful. I lost sight of who I was as a person and where I needed to be going. I started pushing people away because I thought I would be better off alone, or that they would be better off without me. My dad picked me up and he led me back to the path I needed to be on. He never stopped guiding me to a better place despite how much of a mess I was and how I treated him and others around me.

When obstacles stood in my way, I always knew my dad would be there to help me through them. I never questioned his presence in my life and I never questioned his advice. My dad raised me to be an honest person and to accomplish my dreams and my goals despite who or what stood in my way. I respect him for never lying to me whether it be about financial situations, his divorce with my mom, why he did not want me to go somewhere, etc. There were times when I wanted to give up but he always gave me a reason not to. He has and continues to push me to be the best version of myself.

Besides being a spitting image of my father, I also inherited some great qualities from him like how to be humble, how to stand for what I believe in and how to hold my head high when the rest of the world seems like it's crashing down. He taught me values and beliefs, but also encouraged me to make opinions of my own and to figure out how to be my own person. My dad isn't perfect, but who is? He has flaws as a parent and as a person, but who doesn't? I am a daddy's girl and I'm proud to say my dad has been an influential part of my life.

Thank you to all the fathers out there that embraced parenting with open arms. Thank you for loving us unconditionally and for all the fatherly hugs. Thank you to all the dads that defied the stereotypes and who aren't like what the movies show.