Dads -- they are the first men we ever love, trust and respect. They are our protector, our rock. They are someone we are supposed to look up to and seek out advice from. We shouldn't take advantage of them just because they want us to be happy. Dads are amazing people, and it's time they start being treated like it.

Daddy's girl, what does that phrase mean? It has changed so much over the years, it's hard to keep track. It used to mean that a child loves her father; now it means a child uses her father for money or presents. Everyone knows that girls are good at the guilt trip; it is a true skill we have come to master over the years.

Dad's are the target of the guilt trip. For some reason, they are just gullible and girls are just mean. Dad's love their daughters; they would do anything for them to make sure they are okay. We (girls) know this, and more times than not, we take advantage of it. Some girls pride themselves on this skill. They always boast about being a Daddy's girl, but not me. I love my dad, and I know he would do anything to make sure I am where I'm supposed to be in life, but I would never use that as leverage to get things I don't deserve.

Here is why I would like to thank my dad for not letting me be a Daddy's girl.

1. I Work hard for myself.

When the idea comes into someone's head that they can get whatever they want, their motivation starts to slip away. If I knew at the end of the day I could call up Daddy and ask him for what I wanted, and not have to do anything special to receive it, I would never learn how to have a work ethic. Having a dad that taught me how to work for something, and earn it myself, is a life skill that I will always posses. Thanks, Dad.

2. I Know the value of things.

One of the hardest things to learn is value. How do you value someone's time if you have never had to give them yours? Giving and receiving is a lesson we were taught back in kindergarten, "Sharing is caring, right kids?" That saying is drilled in my brain, but it's not because of my whats-her-name kindergarten teacher, it's because of the man who raised me. He taught me how to have a balanced conversation, he taught me how to truly listen and actively respond, and he taught me how to understand the value of people and of things in life. This skill takes real world practice to make it truly stick. Thanks, Dad.

3. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

The one common thing I see in all girls who have their dads in the palm of their hand, is that's how they see everyone else. If you can't respect the man who helped bring you into this world, how are you going to respect the next man who loves you, or even your best friend? When anyone shows interest, they will simply just captivate them until they are wound around their finger. It's not fun to be used; it shouldn't be something people think they can get away with. Respect is the building block of any relationship. If you have no respect, you will never have a relationship that can build into something great.

So thanks, Dad, for teaching me life's most important lessons. I know how to love myself, and I know how to love the other people in my life. Thank you for not giving me everything on a silver platter, and making me work for the things life can give me.

I will love you, forever and ever,

Your Non-Daddy's-Girl Daughter