We, as girls, are given a best friend for life from the moment we are born: our fathers. Dads and daughters have an unbreakable bond full of love, laughter, and companionship. As another Father’s Day passes, I realize just how lucky I am to call my dad my best friend. He is the most selfless and hardworking man I know, and I am a better person because of him.
My dad has taught me many valuable lessons throughout my life. He has taught me how to love myself, and how to fend for myself. He has taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance. And most importantly, he has provided me with love and a friendship that will last a lifetime.
He has taught me to love myself through the unconditional love he has given to me. Throughout all of my highs and my lows, the times when I was mad at him over something stupid, and the times when stress got the best of me, he has loved me through it all. He has never failed me make me feel loved, and for that reason he instilled in me a strong sense of self that could never be replaced. This has allowed me to learn to fend for myself. His constant support has always pushed me to be a better person, and over the years it has turned him into raising me to be headstrong and fiercely independent. From the moment he coached my T-ball team when I was five-years-old, he has made me aware that I need to be strong. He has forced me to go through tough situations on my own, yet I was never along because he was always supporting me from afar. Even if I didn’t realize it at the time, all of those instances have made me a stronger person.
My dad has taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance via his dedication to supporting his family. Every single morning I wake up to a text from my dad that he sends when he gets to work at 3 a.m., and I am reminded of how hard he works every single day. He comes home exhausted and never gets a break, but he does it because it supports his family. And while raising a family is not an easy task, he has always persevered through difficult times with the belief that somehow everything will work out. He has never used tough situations as a reason to become a bitter person. He has only used them to become stronger and more determined, which is something I will always admire him for.
Most importantly, my dad has become my lifelong friend. Our relationship has only gotten stronger as I’ve grown older, and every day I realize more and more what an amazing man he is. He is the first one I go to when something exciting happens. He listens to all my stories, gives me advice whenever I need it, and tells me dumb stories to brighten my days. Distance can be hard to navigate for some, but we talk on the phone every morning and never miss a beat. He knows more about me than I do, and continues to push me to be a better person with his never-ending love and support.
So, Dad, thank you for giving me your big head and your sense of humor. Thank you for the wonderful memories throughout the years. From dancing to Prince at our house on Jericho to long drives home from Grand Junction when I finally come home over breaks and everything in between, we’ve experienced it all. I cherish every single moment and am so thankful to have you as my best friend. You truly are the most wonderful man I know.
