This letter is to every father figure out there. They may not be a father by birth, but they are a grandfather, uncle, adoptive father, family friend or female; either way they helped raise you to the person you are today. I was lucky enough that my father has been there for me every step of the way in my life and will always continue to do so.

Thank you for changing my diapers when I was a baby and I promise to return the favor to you, when you get super old and may need a diaper change. Thank you for figuring out how car seats work so that I was firmly secured and safe in the back seat of the mini van. Thank you for picking me up when I fall and bandaging me up when I need it. Thank you for carrying me around amusement parks even when it was incredibly hot outside and I was drooling all over your shoulder. Thank you for teasing me and teaching me how to take a joke and laugh until my ribs are sore. Thank you for letting me win in Monopoly and Uno so I would know what sweet victory feels like. Thank you for putting me in sports at such a young age, you gave me the ability to fall in love with a sport that helped me make so many friends and develop an athletic mindset. Thank you for turning off the TV and telling me to go play outside. Without that I would have never learned how to dominate at Horse, even if I did granny shots most of the time. Thank you for giving me a shoulder to cry on when people were mean or someone broke my heart. Thank you for letting me rant to you when I was having “one of those days” and I just needed someone to listen. Thank you for never failing to show me love after an argument that we’ve had. Thank you for showing me how a man should treat a woman every day when I see you with mom. You have taught me how to love unconditionally and to do stuff spontaneously just to make your partner feel special. Thank you for taking me to church even when we were both tired and did not want to wake up. That has helped me develop the strong faith that I have today. Thank you for being so welcoming to all of my friends (and boyfriends) throughout the years. They really enjoy being able to call you Dad too.

You have shared so many memories that me and my siblings will cherish and remember for the rest of our lives. They range from long road trips to Florida to great conversations around the dinner table. Some of my favorite memories I have with you is from having you as my coach. When you were right in the mix of things cheering me on and helping me be the best athlete I could possibly be. So for everything you have done for me and everything you will do for me in the future, thank you Dad. I love you.