It's true what they say: Dads are a daughter's first love. My dad has been the number one man in my life since the beginning. We've come a long way together, me and my dad. There have been lots of ups and downs in our walk together. Throughout our journey I have taken a lot of knowledge from the man I'm so lucky to call my daddy like...

How to be carefree every once and a while

My dad has always been a goofball. You would think we had another child in our house with his playful personality. There were days that I wanted to smack him whenever he'd crack one of his lame dad jokes or he'd start dancing in public... but I could never seem to hold back a smile. By watching this side of him I learned that life doesn't always have to be so serious. It's okay to keep that child-like personality.

He taught me to be someone with character

My daddy spent a lot of time (along with my mama': help, because Lord knows he couldn't have done it on his own) teaching me the importance of being an honest person. He wanted me to grow to be someone that people could trust. He taught me this by modeling it. He also taught me...

How to be tender hearted.

My dad doesn't realize it, but he is such an easy man to love. His kindness for people is far beyond that of the average person. He has always been the type of man to give someone the shirt of his back. It doesn't matter where you came from in life or what you've done; my daddy doesn't see you for your mistakes. He treats everyone like they're a friend. It's hard not to feel comfortable around him and his big ole' heart.

He pushed me to walk with Christ.

He may not have always been in perfect fellowship with God, but hey, can anyone say that they have? He has always made sure that I knew the importance of my faith and my relationship with Christ. He was there for me the day I gave my life to Jesus, and he has encouraged me ever since. When I begin to fall, he pushes me to come back. This has left an everlasting impact on my life.

He taught me how to be responsible.

I am a class A procrastinator, and when I do mess up, I tend to make up every excuse answer to why it isn't my fault. My dad wasn't but having that. It wasn't always easy to swallow, and he had to let me fall a few times, but he never failed to come back and pick me back up. Thanks to my dad, I'm slowly getting better at owning up to mistakes, and also handling things earlier on rather than the last minute. He makes my life less of a mess!

He taught me forgiveness.

I by no means have been the perfect child. I am sometimes over dramatic, and I make mistakes daily. I can remember a few times when I really disappointed my daddy, and it scared me, not because I was in trouble, but because I had hurt my dad. Never once in any of these times though did he fail to mention that he loved me. I learned from him that it's not always easy, but we are always able to forgive.

And to wrap things up...

He taught me what unconditional love is (and what it looks like).

There has never been another man that walked this earth (besides Jesus) that loved me the way my daddy loves me. He daily sacrifices himself to take care of me, even though I'm technically an adult now. In his eyes, I have always been, and will always be his little girl. Just writing this right now I'm breaking out in tears because my daddy's love for me is so real. There is nothing I ever did to deserve his love, but he gives it to me anyway, even when I mess up in life. I never have to go to bed wondering if I'm loved and accepted because I know my daddy always will.

And even though I'm growing up fast, he's still teaching me lessons daily, and helping shape me into the lady I am today. I love you daddy!