Dad,
First off, Happy Father's Day. I am dedicating this article to you because of all you do for me, and I want to thank you. I have recorded a short list of the many, many wonderful things you have done for me.
1. Thank you for taking care of me when I am sick.
One of my earliest memories is of me staying home from school when I was sick with the flu. You took work off to stay home with me. I remember you listened to my stomach for a little bit and then asked me what was wrong, I said, "It hurts," and then you said, "No, it doesn't have any hair on it." I recall laughing so hard at that, it really made me feel so much better.
2. Thank you for teaching me handy skills.
I really discredit the value of your dad projects. I am beginning to progressively notice the lessons I have learned through those projects pay off. I have to say some of my favorite projects are the Christmas presents we make for our family members.
3. Thank you for planning the trips of a lifetime.
All of your traveling during the year is hard on all of us but redeeming your points and taking wonderful family vacations makes it all completely worth it. Traveling the world has also given you a unique perspective and knowledge set about how to plan a trip. The times we have spent together on our family vacations are some of my nearest and dearest memories, and they have opened my eyes to many new experiences. I would have never known how much I love to deep-sea fish if it weren't for our vacations.
4. Thank you for listening to my games from across the world.
I can remember during the spring of my high school senior year you were in Germany for work at the same time of play-offs for softball. Heading into the first round we were the seventh seed and matched up against the second seed, whom we defeated. For the second round of play-offs we played the third seed and the game was broadcasted live. Even though you were in an entirely different time zone and tired from work, you tuned into the station during the middle of the night to listen to that game. To make it even sweeter, we ended up advancing to the sub-section finals and you got to watch me play one more time. I am so grateful you did everything you could to be apart of those games with me.
5. Thank you for being the one to give me my high school diploma.
My senior year of high school was the most challenging of all, for all of us; however, you stayed on the school board through it all. At the end of the year it was an indescribable feeling to walk across the stage and receive my diploma from you, one of my biggest role models.
6. Thank you for reminding me of what matters.
For Christmas one year you gave Mom, sisters and I a present in an envelope. It was a certificate redeemable for eight hours of whatever we wanted to do with you. We all joked about taking you shopping but instead, we all hung onto those certificates because of the meaning behind them: it was about the time spent together, not the activity.
7. Thank you for showing what it means to be respected.
You don't lose your cool when I miscommunicate, you hold the doors, and you carry the heavy things for all of us. You have set an example for what it means to respect others and be respected.
8. Thank you for helping me make big decisions.
Whether it be deciding on a sport, my college decision, my career path, or any other of the decisions I have had to make, you've always been there to give me advice. The decision is always mine and you support it no matter what.
9. Thank you for loving me unconditionally.
I am far from perfect and you understand that, but it has never stopped you from loving me unconditionally. Your unconditional love is what I have needed to make the crazy journey we call life.
This list doesn't even scratch the surface of what an incredible father you are but I hope it helps you feel loved an appreciated because that's what you deserve. Thank you for everything, I love you, Dad.
