I was lucky to be blessed with a pretty incredible dad. And, I know that everyone says they have the best dad in the world, but I promise you that my dad is truly one-of-a-kind. All my life I have seen my dad as this superhuman individual who seemingly could do everything and more without even batting an eye; and in some ways, I still see him that way. As I've gotten older, I've seen how much he has sacrificed for me and I have also felt a love that every child should feel and that's the love of an amazing and caring father.

I want to start by telling you his story ...

My dad came to the United States from Mexico over 30 years ago and has worked harder than anyone I know to create the amazing life that he lives now. He often jokes about how when he first came to the US, he walked five miles every day to and from work before he had earned enough money to buy himself a bike, and eventually a car (a sports car, of course). Even though he jokes now, I know this was no easy task to accomplish - but day after day, he continued. From that point forward, he never let anything stop him. He took on a job as a construction worker and eventually became a self-employed contractor. When he realized that the housing market was falling because of the economy, he made the decision to invest his time and money into going back to school beginning with his Associates Degree and continuing on with his Bachelors Degree to become a teacher. He didn't stop there though - he has since obtained his Specialist's Degree, a Masters of Education, and his Doctorate. My dad sacrifices day in and day out for me and my mom not because he feels like he has to but because his love for us is immeasurable and he would do whatever it takes to make sure that we are well taken care of.

My dad has told me time and time again that before I was even thought about, he had vowed to be the best dad that he could be because he, unfortunately, wasn't blessed with a present father in his life. He vowed that he would always make sure I knew how much he loved and cared about me. He vowed that he would never let me go without but that he would teach me to learn from my struggles. He was the greatest coach I had on and off of the soccer field and he always made sure to show up with a bouquet of flowers after every dance recital. He has loved me when I'm moody and held me when I thought my life was falling apart over a boy. He has given me some of the toughest love I could have ever needed and taught me that life is short but it is sweet for certain. He has mostly taught me that with hard work, dedication, perseverance, and a thick skin, that anything I want, can be mine.

I often say that my dad is my best friend and where that is true, I will also say that even more so, he is my hero. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think "wait, let me ask my dad" - his infinite wisdom has led me through some of the hardest years of my life and will continue to lead me even after he is gone. I know that I am one of the lucky ones that can call on their dad whenever and he will come running.

It doesn't matter how old I get or where I choose to take myself next, I know that I will always need my dad. I will always need that tough love that has taught me to not only respect myself but to love myself for the strong person that he raised me to be. I will always want to hear him answer the phone and pretend like he doesn't know he's talking to me. I will always need advice about what I should do next and on whether I'm making the right decisions in my life. I will always need my dad to talk politics with and to banter back and forth about who's actually more fit to be the next President. I will forever know that I'm my daddy's little girl because how many dad's will sit through two hours of The Bachelorette each week only to miss his favorite show week after week (I know, he rocks!) OR will let you put barrettes in his hair like he's your life size Mexican Ken doll because he knows it will make you smile. I will need him on the day that I decide to marry the man of my dreams - but I hope he knows that I will always have loved him first. I will always need my dad because he's much more than just my dad - he's my friend and most importantly, he's my hero.