Dear Dad,

You have always been there for me. I have been able to count on you for anything throughout my entire life. But you didn't have to be there. You choose Mom and I over your bachelor lifestyle.

You adopted me, but only through my rebel teen years did I take that for granted. Most people don't even know that you aren't my biological father, but that just proves how great of a man you are.

You seriously are the best.

You are the man who stood up and choose to be there for my mom and me, when you didn't have to be. You decided to be in my life.

You made us the perfect, little family of three. Growing up, I had the cute family, with the cute house, and the dog on the couch, because of you and Mom.

You have always treated my mom with such respect. You may not have showered her with gifts or got her flowers for every bad day that she has ever had, but you listened to her dreams. You let her run with any dream she's ever had, even if you just smile and shake your head sometimes.

You are the reason that I have high standards when it comes to dating. I want a man that chooses to be there for me all of the time.

I know my mom is a super strong, stubborn woman. I know we would have been fine with just me and her. My mom would have figured it out, but I can't imagine my life without you.

Thank you for being there for my childhood, from my first steps to my first day of high school.

Thanks for cleaning up the skinned up knees and forcing me to brush my teeth as a child.

Thanks for always taking care of my car when it makes funny noises. And for always being there for me to talk to about my goals, even if you have no clue what I am talking about.

I cannot thank you enough for all the dad and daughter dates that we have had as I've grown up. And the road trips filled with coffee and pizza stops.

Thanks for complimenting me when you say "You are just like your mother."

Thank you for choosing to be there. Even if you didn't have to be.

I love having you as my dad.