If your upbringing is anything like me, you are super close to your family. Your parents are basically your go-to's for advice, help with anything "adult like," and they love you and care for you even on your worst days. They're your first best friends. They got your back no matter what, and that's what makes parents so awesome. There's a number of things that parents teach throughout the years that you live under their roof. Some things are forced knowledge, but, for the most part, you're unknowingly learning from your parents by how they act and react to situations.

1. You father is the bread winner

He taught you what it's like to get up and go after what you want. You don't stop until you've gone above and beyond what was asked of you. He taught you how to hustle. Dream, and make those dreams into realities. When you're down, you can't be down for long because people need you to be on your A game all the time, not 75 percent of the time. Get out there and get it.

2. You learned how to love by how your father loves on your mother

I have such high expectations for my husband due to the fact that my father treats my mother like a queen. He loves her on her bad days even more so than her good days. He encourages her. He loves her no matter the number on the scale or what mood she's in. We are products of our own environments. It's so easy to learn from what we see.

3. He is always your biggest cheerleader

No matter the situation, your father is your go-to for good/bad news. You got an A on that exam you thought you bombed? You've got a boy to complain about and need to hear that you're the prettiest little princess of all time? Call dad. He'll pick your mood right up.

4. His cooking is the best

There's nothing like coming home from a long time away from home and coming home to a dinner made by your daddy. He'll call you the night before and ask what you want to eat for dinner the following evening, and he'll make it exactly how you love it. Who doesn't love to come home to some awesome food after not being back home for months?

5. He knows how to cheer you up

It's pretty awesome to be able to have a man in your life that knows exactly what to do whenever you're down and how to make you smile again. Dad's are awesome for this. Whether you're 15 or 22, the answer will forever be ice cream and quality time with dad, and your mood will flip immediately.

6. He helped you develop a love for your passions, and continues to push you to do what you love

Dad's are awesome with cheering on their little girl(s). You are their pride and joy. It may not always be easy for your dad to cheer you on with certain things, like pursuing a relationship with that boy your dad HATES, but he seems to make you happy for the time being, so go ahead and go for it, champ. Daddy will be there when that guy breaks your heart. Don't you worry. BUT in all seriousness, he sees your successes (and failures), and pushes you to do better, be better, and achieve way more than what you originally set yourself out to do in the first place. He knows you better than anyone else, so he knows your limits, and challenges you to push those limits daily.

7. He loves you when you don't deserve it

It's pretty clear that dads are the first ones we call whenever we're in trouble. He may not be the best option to call, because he will kill you whenever he saves you from whatever idiotic situation you got yourself into this time, but he will be understanding and loving when you get the chance to explain yourself. You may have failed your test, lost the very important insurance card he told you that you shouldn't lose, or you need an extra $10 because you spent all your money shopping the day before, but your dad will always be happy that you still love him just as much, if not more than when you were a little girl, and I bet that makes his heart swell with joy.

8. He taught you to be successful and self-reliant

"I'm a strong, independent woman that don't need no man…" yeah, you can finish the rest. Having a boyfriend is cool, but being able to change your own tires, check your own car oil, cook, clean, do laundry, etc, are all instilled skills that dads are awesome for teaching us. Dad taught us how to be able to live on our own and make sure we can keep our heads well above water. Don't rely on someone to help you your entire life do basic things. Dads are good at spoiling us, but are also the first ones to tell us you need to get up and stop bitching.

9. He makes endless sacrifices for you

He may not admit it, but your dad has given up all that he has to give you everything you have ever dreamed of, whether you noticed it or not. He'll take time off of work to go to the doctor's appointment that you're nervous about. He'll take time off work to come up to your college to help fix your broken-down car because why take it to a shop when you can fix it yourself? He'll give you the last $20 in his wallet so you can go out with your friends. The list of things are endless. There's nothing that a father's love does not cover. He will literally do anything to see you smile, and that is beautiful.

10. He listens to your meaningless drama

I highly doubt dad cares about what your roommate did to make you mad, but he will definitely listen to your rant and then offer some advice which seems stupid, but just like your drama, you listen to his advice anyways. He may even go so far as to partake in the drama-talking as well. Regardless, dad always seems to be the first one to call whenever you need to vent or need to just talk about how awful your professor is.

I couldn't have been any more blessed than I have been with the set of parents that I have. Dads are amazing gifts from God. My dad has taught me so much through the 22 years that I have been alive. My dad has seen me cry, he has seen me rejoice in my successes, and has seen me laugh until I cannot breathe. Dads will forever love you, whether you deserve it or not. Be thankful for all the wonderful life lessons you received from your dad, regardless if it was learned or forced upon you. Be thankful for all that he has taught you.

I love you dad. Thanks for all that you do for me and continue to do for me.

xoxo