There have been a lot of times in my life where you have been by my side.

Senior prom where you held me steady in the grass even though you complained you were supposed to be taking the pictures and not in them.

At fifteen when you were in the passenger's seat teaching me how to drive and didn't even look up from your phone before promptly telling me I just ran a stop sign.

My baptism at twelve years old when I was shaking harder than our dog Pepi because I was in front of all those people on a spotlit stage. (I still don't forgive you for joking that the water was warm because the person in front of me peed. You better hope "His" sense of humor is as bad as ours.)

Every birthday, football game, swim meet, and banquet you were there--or close behind--and I couldn't imagine it any other way. You have raised me in my highs and held me quietly in my lows. When the world was crashing in on our family, you stayed strong and pushed it back. There were times when I would be so mad at you for seeming unbothered when the rest of us were losing it. Your steadfast logic never mixed well with my over-thinking anxiety. But now that I'm older, I understand it wasn't any easier for you. It just fell on you to be the one to keep the rest of us together. And for that I can never repay you.

There were times we could have argued for hours. And though it was "win-some, lose-some" (mostly "lose-some" for me, the power isn't exactly balanced here) everything has worked out pretty good in the end. I mean look at you--having such a successful and smart and beautiful and kind and etc. daughter? You really lucked out man!

But coming back to reality here, I wouldn't be the person I am without you and Mom. I know that and I am so glad I have the two of you to call when something happens in my life and I want to celebrate or talk it out.

Our story isn't unique in the fact that my dad is the one walking me down the aisle, but more so in the fact that I didn't even meet him until I was ten years old. But even though you missed those first ten, you have more than made up for it in these last eight. The fact that you chose to love me and make me your own is that much more special anyway. Your blood may not run in me, but your attitude certainly does.

I don't know much about that special walk--other than the fact it should not be happening for a long, long time. But I do know one thing: that special man I'm facing will love me, but the one by my side does too.

P.S. I know you don't dance, but just be ready for that too. I already have the song picked out.