Dear dad,
College has taught me a lot of things. Everything between how to properly pull an all-nighter and how to survive an entire week on just Easy Mac and chips. Every day I’m thrown into something new, and I’m growing up into a young woman. With that I’ve come to realize how much gratitude I owe to you.
I don’t know when I built that invisible wall between you and me. Before I knew it, I wasn’t sitting on your lap anymore demanding all your attention. I could go to bed without you tucking me in. I grew up, and somehow we grew apart, and somewhere in between affection became an awkward thing. Because of that I’ve never been able to fully express how thankful I am to you, and how much I love you. You’ve sacrificed everything for our family, and for that you deserve the world.
For all the business trips you’ve ever taken in your life, there has never been a time where you came back home empty handed. We wouldn’t even give you time to unpack your bags, but decide to sit around you waiting for all the gifts you’ve brought us back. You taught me the act of giving.
I remember being such a little drama queen and sobbing because I was too tired to do my second-grade math homework at night. But you sat with me as I solved all the five problems that I had to do, wiping the tears off my cheeks and giving me high fives as I completed each problem. I was probably angry back then because you didn’t let me go to bed, but through those events you taught me what it meant to be persistent.
When I got in trouble for the first time at school, and I had to get a note signed from you, it was probably the most terrified I’ve ever been. I finally got to courage to tell you, expecting to be grounded or yelled at. But instead, you put your hand on my shoulders and told me that it was OK and that everybody made mistakes. You taught me how to be understanding.
No matter how many times I’ve messed up, you always loved me unconditionally. Not for what I’ve done but for who I am and because of that I learned how to love someone.
Dad, I just hope that one day I can give back everything you’ve given me and more. All the lessons you’ve taught me throughout the first 18 years of my life has slowly built up to help me become the person I am today. I owe it all to you. Can’t wait to see you soon.
Love, your daughter
