Dear Daddy,
A year ago today, you, mom and I drove down to the Douglas County Courthouse to sign some papers. After that, we went out for sushi to celebrate. It's a small act--signing a document--but a momentous one for the two of us and for the whole family.
About 17 years earlier you started dating mom and when I was almost 2 years old you married her.
For your 15-year-anniversary you renewed your vows to mom, and the whole family came.
For the past 18 years, you've been an incredible example to Audrey and me of how to love and be loved and how to live a life of faith in all that we do.
Thank you for loving mom always. Thank you for being there for me for all of my major life events. Thank you for teaching me about God and how to let His light shine through my words and actions. Thank you for teaching me how to live my life with optimism. Thank you for teaching me to have faith in everyone's character and find the good in every person and every situation. Above all else, thank you for teaching me about work ethic and how to do everything to the very best of my ability. Because of you, I have grown into a faithful, optimistic, loving and hard working woman.
You've always been my dad and my legal guardian, but a year ago today we got to make it official.
The old saying goes that "blood is thicker than water" but I don't really find blood all that important. What matters most is love, and that's what you've shown me since I was just a baby.
Thanks for everything!
Your daughter, on her Gotcha Day