Growing up, parents are real life super heroes to children. As you get older, that idea still stays true as you get to see how incredible they truly are and how much they do. Fathers tend to be a girl's first love and first best friend. A dad sets up how his daughter will view relationships, and men, for the rest of her life.

Luckily, I had a pretty amazing role model growing up. Anyone who knows me knows that my Dad is truly my best friend. If it wasn’t for him, I honestly don’t know where I would be in my life. I am more thankful for him than I will ever be able to put into words. The reasons truly are endless, but these are my top five why I'm incredibly thankful for my Dad.

1. Loving me when I was “Unlovable”

Growing up, I was a little rebellious. I would test both of my parents' limits and push buttons they probably didn’t even know they had. I gave them a run for their money and even though I’m sure they wanted to give up some days, they didn’t. My dad loved me through it all and stuck by my side until I grew into the person I am today.

2. Boy Advice

I can say I’ve had my heart broken before and anyone who’s gone through that knows it’s one of the worst feelings. My dad was there to let me cry on his shoulder, but also remind me that he wasn’t even worth crying over. He’s always there to point out to me the guys that aren’t even worth my time and give me the best advice. Even to this day, sometimes I call him up to vent and ask for boy advice because I know at the end of the day, Dad really does know best.

3. Letting me make my own Mistakes

I know I can call my father and tell him absolutely anything. If ever I don’t know what to do or how to handle something, he lends an open ear. He always listens to me and offers up some advice on what he thinks I should do. Sometimes I listen and other times, I don’t. The times I don’t listen and it backfires, he doesn’t tell me “I told you so,” but instead talks me through the situation again and how to figure it out.

He's taught me that it's okay to not know everything and you will make mistakes, but it's how you handle them that shape who you are and help build you as a person.

4. Teaching me Everything I Know

From teaching me how to ride a bike and drive a car, all the way to how to balance my checkbook, shoot a gun, or figure out that darn Econ homework- my dad has had me covered. No matter how frustrated he gets or I get, he never gives up. I owe literally almost everything I know to my father.

5. Not Raising a "Baby"

In today’s society, everyone seems to be extremely sensitive and offended by everything. I can honestly thank my dad for making my skin thick. I don’t get offended by what other people say and I can laugh at my own stupid mistakes. As simple as this may seem, for a lot of people it’s not. I’m thankful that at the end of the day I can reflect and laugh at how idiotic I can be.

My dad is my best friend and always will be. He keeps me level headed and focused but we can always laugh and be complete goof balls together. Anyone who knows Tom, knows that he is one of the most hard working, dedicated, caring and smartest guys out there. I hope that I'm lucky to find someone even half the person he is one day. I don’t know where I would be without him in my life and I am forever thankful to be able to call him my father. Everyone says they have the best dad in the world so I won’t say that, instead I’ll say I have the best dad for me.