My dad works offshore and is gone half the year. He spends 21 days home and then goes to work for 21 days. Every 21 days, he risks his life and gets on a helicopter to fly miles out into the ocean to work on a rig. If you have ever watched the Deepwater Horizon movie, you have some idea of the dangers oilfield workers are exposed to. This is an everyday worry for our families. My dad doesn’t get enough credit, so here’s the thank you he truly deserves:

Dad,

I know I am not always the easiest person to get along with. We fuss and we argue, but I would not trade you for the world. I look forward to the day you will walk me down the aisle to meet the man of my dreams, the man you have accepted to take care of your baby girl. I hope you know I can never replace you in my heart. You will always be my number one man. You have taught me so much in life. You have taught me how to be strong, humble, and respectful. You have taught me that nothing is impossible without God and a strong faith. You taught me how to fish, how to hunt and how to shoot a gun. You taught me things about cars and other mechanical stuff that I have no idea about. I know throughout life I can always count on you to be there for me. I can never thank you enough. Thank you for being there through every sickness, every hospital visit, every doctor’s appointment. It’s not easy sticking by someone who is always sick. You not only had to worry about a sick wife, you have to worry about me. Not many people would have stuck by us, but you did. For that alone, I can never thank you enough.

Thank you for being my role model. You have shown me so many valuable lessons in life. You have taught me that I am important and that I deserve the world. While everyone was telling me I was worthless, you never let me think that. Thank you for all the pep talks and even all the yelling. Leaving for twenty-one days at a time cannot be easy, but you do it. Thank you for all the Christmas mornings you missed so we could have presents under the tree. Thank you for all the birthdays you missed, which made the others so special. Thank you for always having my back. You were the first man I ever needed, and the first man that I loved. One day, as you give me away to someone, I hope you always know that I appreciate everything you do. Thank you for all the icees after school. Thank you for all the pep talks, all the arguments, and all the hard times. Thank you for the hours spent outside with us. Thank you for the nights of board games, even though you hate them. Thank you for busting your butt at work to make sure we have everything we have. Thank you for being a dad.

Love, your baby girl

(and your favorite, of course)