With father’s day this past weekend, I couldn’t help thinking about how one day a year is simply not enough to truly encapsulate the amount of appreciation a great dad deserves. It is awesome that we have an entire day just to celebrate all the great fathers and father figures in our lives, but the truth is that we should be celebrating these incredible men every day, not just when the calendar says to.

Dear Dad,

Thank you for being a great dad. Everyone has a father, but not everyone has a dad, and I count myself among the extremely lucky to not only have a present father throughout my life but to also have a dad who is the greatest man I know. I know I don’t give you nearly enough credit for everything you do for our family, and one Father’s Day a year is not nearly enough to give you the appreciation you deserve.

Thank you for taking care of me.

Whether it was from real dangers or imaginary ones (especially those which lived under my bed and in my closet), you have always been my protector. Every trip, fall, bruise, splinter, and fear, I have never had to question who to turn to.

Thank you for setting my standards high.

You have always shown me what I deserve in life. You taught me at a young age about respecting myself and never settling. You have shown me what an amazing husband, father, and friend looks like, and I can only hope that the man I marry is half the man you are.

Thank you for teaching me to fend for myself.

You taught me about cars, how to change a tire, make a fist, throw a punch, how to drive, and how to make basic meals. You taught me that I don't need a man to take care of me (although I'll always have one in you) and that I can do anything I set my mind to.

Thank you for listening to me, and understanding me.

Understanding a young girl is a daunting task for most of the world, but especially for dads. Thanks for always going out of your way to understanding me, and listening to every issue in my life, regardless of how petty it was.

Thank you for being the bad guy sometimes.

Being a parent sometimes means being the bad guy; sometimes tough love is required to teach an important lesson. Although I wasn't always happy and rarely understood why you said no to things I wanted when I was younger, looking back now, you did it to teach me things. Being a good parent means occasionally being the bad guy, but it is also one of the best ways to tell your daughter that you love her.

Thank you for making our family your number 1 priority.

Lately, it seems like family is becoming less and less of a priority to a lot of people, so thanks for always making our family your number one priority. Thanks for making sure you were always there for dinner, and at every sports game, birthday party, and a big event in my life. Thanks for making sure that I always knew what was truly important.

Thank you for always cheering me on

No matter what has happened in my life, you have always been cheering me on. Sports games, tryouts, graduation, the list goes on and on. At every moment in my life, I knew I could always look out into the crowd and see my dad.

Thank you for always knowing what to say.

In every situation, you have always known what to say to me to help me get through whatever is going on. Whether it's comforting me, making me laugh, or reminding me to toughen up, you always know exactly what I need to hear.

Throughout my life, you have been my father, friend, coach, cheerleader, chauffeur, mentor, and confidant, but most importantly, you have been my dad. There aren't enough words to truly tell you how much you mean to our family and me, and how much we love you. You are the first man I ever loved and you will always be the most influential man in my life. I wouldn't be the young woman I am today without you, and I can't thank you enough.

I love you, daddy.