Dear Dad,

I want to just start off by saying thank you. Thank you for showing me that not everything comes easy and that hard work is the key to getting all that you want in life. You can’t just walk down the street and hope that by sheer luck, you find the thing you’ve been searching for. Whether it’s a career, love or any tangible item, it’s not going to just fall out of the sky and land in your lap. This also goes along with the idea of not giving me everything I asked for as a child and spoiling me to the point that I didn’t understand and value the dollar. You taught me to save my money for a rainy day or for an adventure instead of wasting it on a knick-knack toy at the store or a gumball from the machine at a restaurant. Thank you for teaching me that I should do what I love, love what I do and enjoy every little moment because though money does help, it can only make you so happy. Thank you for teaching me to see things through, to not give up just because something isn’t going the way that I planned or expected. Because you never know what may come from something and more often than not, it’s a valuable lesson that needs to be learned. Thank you for teaching me that even when the going gets tough, the tough truly do get going.

From teaching me to ride a bike, introducing me to and bringing me closer to my faith, instilling in me that loving the Irish is the only way to go and that every day ends well with a little pasta and red gravy, I’ve learned a lot from you. I’ve learned to try to take everyday with a smile and to go with the flow. I’ve learned to take everyday as a blessing and to let those around you know that you care about them because you never know when they no longer will be there. I’ve learned that it’s okay to scream at the tv sometimes, especially during sporting events, but only in moderation. I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask a lot of questions and to be curious because you never know what you’re going to learn and there is always an opportunity to learn.

I grew up with a big heart (and I still have one), but with that came a lot of disappointment. I trusted people and cared for people who wouldn’t bat an eye for me, and you showed me that it’s okay and it’s a part of life. Mom taught me that not everyone will be nice and not everyone will care, and you taught me that it’s okay because in the end, all that matters is me and the person that I show to the world. You taught me that I should always be a friend first, no matter who I’m interacting with. You never know what the other person may be going through, whether it’s a good day or a bad one you always need to treat everyone with the respect that you’d give a friend.

Upon leaving for college, I thought I knew everything. I thought I knew everything about who I was, where I wanted to go, where I wanted to be and with whoever I wanted to be with. But in actuality, I was far from truth. Thank you for letting me realize these things on my own and not pressuring me to be someone you thought I needed to be. Thank you for letting me spread my wings and figure it all out on my own.

But thank you for allowing me to do this and supporting me in every decision I make, even though it wasn’t at the University you dreamed I’d be at. Through all of my struggles and my strife, I’m glad that you always have my back.