My dad is a father like no other. He has given me a place to live and food to eat, clothes on my back and shoes on my feet. He's made my life the best that he possibly could. From working a little bit later to make a little more money and missing work to stay home while I'm sick, my dad did an admirable job. Despite the fact that when I was little I hated how hard he was on me, it has made me appreciate life in a way most young adults don't. I'm lucky to have the dad that I do. Having a strict dad is one of the best things that could have happened to me. I wouldn't trade it or him for the world. So here's to you, Dad.

Dad,

You're someone to look up to no matter how old I get. Thanks to you, I am proud of the person I have become. You have raised me the best way that you possible could, even if I didn't like it at times. You were hard on me, like really hard on me. I never understood it as a kid and thought I would resent you for it, but I feel the exact opposite. I am thankful for your strict ways for many reasons; you have made me the person I am today.

You taught me good work ethic. Ever since I was a little girl, I remember how hard you worked. Your hands are always dirty and callused from long days at work. Your dad taught you how to work hard, and now you have taught me. When you tell me to do something, you don't let me do it half-assed. If I'm not going to do it right the first time, I'll have to do it a second time. I'll make a great employee some day because of the hard work ethic you have taught me.

You always had high expectations for me. All I have ever wanted to do was make you proud. It used to be so frustrating having such high expectations. I felt a lot of pressure to be perfect and was always afraid of failure, but because of that I have succeeded in multiple ways. The pressure you put on me as a kid made it easier to deal with pressure as I got older. I have become motivated to succeed, and that is just what I plan to continue doing.

You made me achieve academically. It has been important to you since kindergarten that I succeed in school. You taught me that education needed to come before anything else. You have always told me how important it is from the start. Making me do my homework even when I didn't want to made me succeed academically. I am so thankful for the times you made me stay home and finish my homework rather than going out to be with friends or going to practices, because without you doing that I might not be where I am today.

You made me a better person. I would tell you about a fight with a friend and your response would always be to be the bigger person and fix it. It didn't matter if I had a reason to be upset or angry, you would tell me to put it aside because it isn't worth the fight. You were right. It's not worth losing a friendship or ruining a relationship over petty arguments. Taking the high road is always the best option.

You taught me to be independent and strong. Rather than doing everything for me, you would teach me how to do it myself. Thanks to that, I am independent and know how to do many things on my own. When I don't know how to do something, you have taught me how to work through it and figure it out. You also taught me to be tough and strong. You would always want to catch me when I would fall, but instead you would pick me up and tell me to brush it off and try again.

You taught me to be responsible. Ever since I was little, you would give me specific things to be responsible for from feeding the dog to trusting me to stay home alone. Being responsible has opened up a door full of opportunities and has allowed my peers to trust me with differing tasks.

You always told me to believe in myself. My father gave me the greatest gift that anyone could give another person; he believed in me. If I didn't believe I could do something, I wouldn't be able to do it.

Most importantly, because of your strict ways, I appreciate things that others take for granted. Many young adults take their parents and their family in general for granted. They resent their parents for things they have or haven't done and are not expected to succeed. I am thankful to have a dad like you, who taught me to stay humble and kind and love with all my heart, but most importantly to be thankful for what I have been given and for what I have worked hard to get.

Love you always,

Your little girl.