Dear Dad,

I just wanted to tell you thank you for always being there for me. Your guidance and love has impacted my life more than you will ever know. Between you and Mom, I was raised with love and compassion from the start. You taught me to never be rude, always say "sir" and "ma'am," but never let anyone take advantage of you.

I have always been your right-hand girl. Growing up, playing with you and hanging out with you was the highlight of my day. It did not matter if we were fixing the truck, going fishing or just watching TV – I loved every minute of it. When you were changing the oil, I was there to "help" and get my hands messy, too. When we were out catching fish, I liked to look at the worms, but you had to hook them for me. You taught me that not every fish caught can be taken home to be eaten. Little did I know, the lessons you taught me then would last a lifetime.

As I began to grow up, the lessons became so much more important. The way you love my mother and the way you love me are two of the greatest lessons you could have ever given me. The way you treat Mom all my life has given me the incentive to settle for nothing less from my husband one day. You have always made Mom your queen and me your princess. Because of this, I will never let anyone treat me as anything less than the princess you raised me to be.

Despite making me your princess, you always taught me to never be a damsel in distress. Even though I should walk with grace and dignity, you always taught me to never have to rely on anyone else for anything. You taught me to change my own tire, fix my own air conditioning, be my own protector and never walk with weakness or my head hung low. Dignity and strength was one of the main things you wanted your daughter to have and that was completely the case with me. Because of how you raised me, I know I can do anything I put my mind to.

Thank you for teaching me to be a kind, independent, strong, loving and resourceful princess.

Love always, Your Little Girl