Dear Dad,
What’s up dude? I know I really don’t take enough time in my day to say thank you for everything you do for me, so I decided to write you this letter.
You’ve taught me so many things in 19 years, Dad. You taught me how to ride my bike (and regardless of the fact that I was about 8 when I finally grasped the concept, you remained patient with me). You taught me how to drive (again, and regardless of the fact that it took me until now to grasp the concept, you remained somewhat patient with me). But I think the greatest lessons I learned from you were the things you taught me by accident.
Thank you for teaching me how to laugh at myself.
If I’ve ever met a man who doesn’t care what people think of him, it is you, Dad. Between you busting a move in the middle of the grocery store or screaming my name out during a silent lull in my graduation ceremony, you live life the way you want to, and you don’t care what other people have to say about it. While this is something I am still learning how to do, you’ve definitely taught me how to laugh at myself. No one is perfect, and loving my weirdness is something I learned by example through you.
Thank you for teaching me professionalism.
I feel like not too many people my age know how to shake hands properly or what to bring to an interview, but you have instilled this in me since I was about 15. Thank you for making sure you taught me how to act professional. This is one thing that makes me look up to you — how people respect you at work and how you carry yourself.
Thank you for calling me out on my bulls--t.
You can smell B.S. from a mile away, and you never fail to call me out when mine is in full supply. Not only do you always know when I was lying, but you always made it a point to tell me to stop acting like someone I wasn’t. Through this, you have taught me how to be myself, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Thank you for always making me laugh.
You never fail to make me crack a smile, Dad. Our jokes are probably some of the weirdest things I’ve ever heard in my entire life, but you are one of the funniest people I know. I always know I can call you when I need to smile, and you never fail to make that happen.
Thank you for being there for me.
You travel a lot for work, Dad, and now that I’m away at school, I see you even less. But no matter what, you are always a phone call away when I have a question about what kind of gas to put in my car or how to pay a bill. You always make time for me and show me that I am a priority in your life. And you always make sure I have what I need, if not more than that, and I couldn’t thank you enough for that.
Thank you for teaching me that life is hard.
You always told me when I was a kid that I should make the most of my childhood. You would always warn me that real life is hard. Well, Dad, you were right. You’ve braced me for it somewhat and not having everything handed to me in my life has helped soften the blow. Thank you for teaching me that reality is tough and you need to be able to support yourself.
Thank you for being a man I look up to.
Above everything else, you are my role model, Dad. If I can become half of the person you are when I grow up, I will be beyond blessed. Thank you for showing me how to find my way in life through both good and bad times. You truly are my hero.
With love,
Your darling daughter
