My dad is my best friend…I know, I know. People say your parent is not supposed to be your best friend, but in some cases, they’re wrong. In this case, they’re wrong. My dad is my absolute best friend. I do everything with my dad. From grocery shopping, lake trips, just plain hanging out, to cooking, watching “our” shows on TV, and going to the fire station. And for those of you thinking I’m so close with my dad because my mom isn’t in the picture, she is very well in the picture. I’m also super close with my mom. It’s just that I’ve been a daddy’s girl my whole life. My dad taught me how to ride a bike, my dad taught me how to shoot a gun, and most of all my dad taught me what love should look like by loving my mother like there is no tomorrow.

When I was in school, even high school, teachers would always ask us who our hero was. Most kids would say a legitimate superhero, some would say a famous person, some would say a U.S. war hero; but, none said a parent. I was the only student, most of the time, to say a parent. My hero was, is, and always will be my father. He was the first man I loved and the first man to love me. Right after I was born, he sat in the delivery room with me on his chest and sang the Marine Corps hymn to me…over, and over, and over. To this day, I know the Marine Corps hymn, but not because of that, of course. I learned it.

My dad was a Marine. He served our county, and for that, I will always be proud. My dad is also a volunteer firefighter. He has been for 43 years. 43 years of VOLUNTAIRLY running into burning buildings, 43 years of being the person there for some on either the worst day of their life, best day of their life, or the last day of their life.

Throughout my entire life, my dad has been there every single day. He is the only person I can say that about, and I have no idea what I would do without him.