Dear Dad,
I am not sure where to begin this letter to you. Where do I start to find the words to thank you for helping to make me the woman I am today? How do I sort through all of the amazing memories that you have given me?
Often a “daddy’s girl” is thought of as a spoiled brat, however, I am proud to be your partner in crime, buddy and more importantly, your daughter. So with this letter, I thank you.
Thank you for dealing with my never-ending days of wanting to be a princess and for replaying the "Beauty and the Beast" soundtrack on repeat as I twirled around in my Belle dress. Thank you for our nights of living room concerts and for being the Fred Astaire to my Ginger Rodgers. It isn’t hard to make a young girl happier than to sing tirelessly into remote controls as we created dance routines for our invisible audiences. Thank you for the attempted campouts, where we braved the outdoors by fishing, roasting marshmallows and getting way too many bug bites. For those, at least we tried, right?
Thank you for the endless father-daughter dates. From dances to dinners to simply picking up takeout, I could always count on you to be the best date a girl could ask for. You picked me up on time, held the door open for me and paid for dinner; what a gentleman! Thank you for being my coach, not only in sports, but also in life. From little league to the endless philosophical quotes, I wouldn’t understand the meaning of a double play or hard work without you. Thank you for teaching me the sport of running and for bribing me with ice cream to run one just more lap around the track. If it hadn’t been for you, our long father-daughter runs, discussions on training and dreams of running the Boston Marathon would have never existed.
Thank you for teaching me patience, especially when it comes to mom (I love you mom!). I couldn’t handle the long to-do lists and constant questioning without us making eye contact and your sarcastic comments that follow. Thank you for the endless giggles and for laughing with me in unison as our chuckles echo each other in similarity. Thank you for teaching me to always find the joys in life and to begin each and every day with a smile on my face. I am so proud to hold your same of sense of humor, simple pleasure for life and consistent optimism for each day that we meet.
Thank you for still looking at me like I am the greatest thing in the world to you, even after all of my mistakes. I know that at times I tested your patience and caused you worry, but you never lost faith in me. You still continue to see me as this amazing woman, despite all of my flaws, and the endless potential that rests in your eyes inspires me to always be my best and try to never let you down.
Thank you for being the man that I will always look up to and the man I want my husband to be like someday. You have shown me more kindness, compassion and wisdom than any other man I have ever known and if my future husband is half the man you are, then I will know that I have done something right. Your love for your wife is never-ending and how you boast of her and your children shows what a true family man and proud parent you are. You have set the bar so high for my future spouse, that he should be intimidated at what he has gotten himself into.
Truthfully, no one will ever share a bond like we do, Dad. You are my hero and my best friend. I love you and thank you with all of my heart.
Always have. Always will.
Love,
Your little girl
