Can you ever think of a time where you were embarrassed by standing out? I can think of countless times. Growing up, I was never like all the kids at my school, and as a young girl, it was hard to understand. I was the "new kid," the nerd, the fat kid, the kid with the lisp, and the list goes on and on. These things defined me and made me a prime target for bullies at school. I was so embarrassed and ashamed because of these things and wished they did not exist. They would make fun of me and it made me feel like something was wrong with me.

My dad was my role model and someone I have always looked up to. He is a fun, outgoing guy and is loved by everyone he meets. He is not the "typical" dad. He made everything fun and was goofy all the time, even in public. At times, it embarrassed me so much as a child, and I wished he wouldn't act this way. He would always tell me that my differences made me special. When I was little, I did not understand what that meant. It was like this tug of war, at home, my parents told me that I was perfect the way I was, but at school, I was bullied and made fun of.

It was hard to understand what my dad told me all those years. I struggled with who to believe. On one hand, I had my dad who I looked up to tell me I am great the way I am, but on the other hand, I spent every day hearing all the bad things. It was hard to block out the bad stuff being a young child. My dad talked to me and encouraged me to be myself and that I would appreciate it as my friends and I got older.

I have learned to appreciate my differences and really embrace what my dad told me. I have learned to embrace the things that defined me and made me different. I have learned over the years to love them rather than be embarrassed by them. People are either going to like me or they won't, and I cannot change that. It has helped me get quality friends that I know will be there for me in my times of need. I have come to learn that I should not care what other people think and it has opened so many doors for me.

My dad was a huge part of who I am today and without his advice, I would not be the lady writing this article today.