To be upfront, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you've had to endure so many nights alone in your apartment. I'm sorry you moved an hour away from your kids and never had the best of luck watching us grow up. And most of all, I'm sorry I've never made the time for you that I should have.

Sometimes I look back wonder what the heck I was thinking. Sometimes, I even wonder what the heck you were thinking. Then again, that leads me back to my own thoughts.

I know what I'm thinking.

I know what you're thinking.

God. He led you to move an hour away and He led me to move six hours away to college. And now He has led me to write this for you. It's incredible how God has worked in our favor, even when we think we've had nothing.

In the end, I think it's been working out for the best for both of us. I'm not even sure how I would picture my life if things hadn't happened the way they did.

It still makes me sad that mom had insisted you to not come to my tournaments because I would be "distracted". I was a kid. Heck, I get distracted when I see a small dog in the distance. What else did I know?

Here's what I know and probably took for granted.

I loved when we would go to Subway before my soccer games. I loved when we would spend Sundays together. The Sunday breakfasts and the drives in the red car all around town and back. Walmart trips for school supplies and even all of the trips to the mall. Countless times, we just go in and out of stores without buying anything because I'm too indecisive to actually make that kind of commitment. I loved going to see the early matinee at the theaters and laughing endlessly at pointless things.

I still giggle when I think of watching SpongeBob and spitting my cereal all over the TV because I couldn't stop laughing. Honestly, it wasn't even that funny but I still can't stop laughing.

It still amazes me that my friends think I'm crazy for wanting to go to the earlier movies. Don't they know it's cheaper? Shoot, I'll spend any $5 watching movies with you.

I want to thank you for inspiring me. You've inspired me to chase my dreams and look for the smaller things.You have no materialistic sense and would rather spend your money on the finer things in life: the experiences. We both know I'm not even slightly artistic, but somehow we've managed to spend hours on hours painting only God knows what. The random sunsets or the horrible looking monsters I've managed to scribble antennas on. What can I say, I thought I had inherited that artistic ability, but I was wrong. Very very wrong.

I want to thank you for always encouraging me to continue my education. You've always said how you wish you could go back to school and I'm constantly thinking of how fortunate I have been to be able to go to college. It might not seem like a big thing to others, but it's pretty cool being one of the only ones in your family to be going to college. Not only just going to college, but being in the right path to graduate in the coming years with my degree. It's a cool thought, ya know?

I also want to thank you for always encouraging me to be me. Whether it was me running around the house shirtless as a small child because I was so much of a tomboy when I was little that I didn't even wear shirts, or when I went through my 8th grade "emo-phase" with eyeliner and colorful skinny jeans. Shoot, you even encouraged me to sing when we both know the only vocals I have are talking for hours on end. Half of the time, I don't think I'm even making sense with what I ramble about. I'm honestly surprised you don't have some kind of hearing deficit at this point.

What I am glad for, is how much you support us through everything. You're always willing to give up anything and everything you have to help. It's truly inspirational. You may not realize it, but the amount of love you show to absolutely everyone is remarkable. You're, without a doubt, a wonderfully made, piece of art from God. I thank Him every day for giving me a father like you.

Even though we don't really get to spend a whole lot of time together since I've moved away, I want you to know I love you. I want you to know I love all of the times we've written each other letters like it's the 1970's. (Actually, I don't even know if that was a thing but I don't want to make you sound too old.)The postcards and photos you continually send always bring a smile to my face. I love when you'd tell us stories about Calvary Commission and anything you had done growing up. I love how you're always striving to improve your relationship with God. The individualistic example you set for your children is astonishing.

You never stray from your roots and it's something I've always admired. You tell us countless stories about your childhood and how you've come to be. I'm not even sure how you remember everything, but you've never failed to keep your stories coming. Not only the stories, but always encouraging us to keep astray from your mistakes. Whether it's not pursuing everything you've wanted to or the shared memories you have from your past, you're always a whisper in my ear when I have things to be considering.

I hope and pray you get your opportunity to become a missionary. I know it's always been something you would like to do and you're constantly talking about it. Your ambition and dedication to follow God, it's amazing.

I hope and pray you follow through with everything you want to do after you retire from your job.

I hope and pray you continue to follow God and always be looking in His direction. We both know he'll continue to lead you in the direction you're destined for.

Because most of all, a great dad like you deserves to.