Here’s to all the men out there who take the time to be a father.

Thanks for building us the swing set for the backyard and letting us sit on your lap while you drive the tractor. For making us take the training wheels off and putting us back on the bike until we don’t fall. For reading us a nighttime story, even when it’s is the same one for weeks. For carving the Thanksgiving turkey and letting us put the star on the top of the Christmas tree. For the countless piggy back rides and carrying us on your shoulders so we can see over the crowd. For making us memorize our spelling words and eat all the food on our plate. For playing catch until the sun goes down and coaching the teams whether we win or lose. For painting our rooms the perfect shade of blue and hanging all our pictures up. For watching movies with me when no one else will and understanding all my Friends references. For turning up the radio so we can all sing loud and off tune. For teaching us to make the best scrambled eggs and how to grill the perfect steak.

Thanks for being patient, you’re teaching us to drive and calm when we get in our first fender-bender. For attending all the gymnastics meets, cheer competitions, volleyball games and track meets when you’d rather be at a football game or watching motorcross. For making sure we’ve mastered how to ski and kneeboard even when we fight you on it. For letting mom drag you to all the homecoming and prom pictures. For introducing yourself to any guy I bring home and scaring them into thinking you’re tougher than you really are.

Thanks for always being there. For making me tea when I’m sick and carrying me up the stairs after my surgery. You are always there when I fall to help me get back up. Because of you I’ve learned to never settle and never quit. You’ve made me a better person by pushing me to meet my goals. I hope someday I marry a man who can as amazing as husband and father as you are. I’m sure you’ll make sure he’s good enough.

From all the kidos out there, thank you for showing what it means to be a good parent. Out of all the gifts you’ve ever given us, that the best one, aside from the car.