Father’s day has passed, but I wanted to still dedicate this article to my father. Although my parents have been married for about 25 years, I, for one, am not that close to my father. We rarely see eye to eye. We disagree on a lot of things. I’m not what you called a daddy’s girl either. I don’t really talk to him about personal things or go to him first with my problems. Now that it’s summer and I’m working every weekday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., I don’t necessarily hold a long conversation with him. Even during the school year, I don’t call him every day or contact him on a daily basis. We probably talk once every three to five days depending on how busy I am that week. But with all of this, I can still say that I am very blessed that he is a part of my life and that I have someone to call a father. I will always love him and never take him for granted.

For years my father and I never really saw eye to eye, but that never stopped either one of us from enjoying each other when we could. He has always supported me with whatever I did, especially when it comes to my academics. When I was younger he was there during my cheer competitions, dance and violin recitals. Every time I was in a school play or in some sort of activity that required me to participate outside of academics, he was there. He was that proud dad that would always whistling and clapping. There was a time during one of my track meets where I heard his whistle on the other side of the track. I ran the 4x4, and in the first 100 meters I could hear him out of everyone. I could always hear him telling me to push through and keep on running to the finish line. I mean he played sports in school so he understood what it meant for me to push myself.

Ever since I’ve been on college he loves to come visit when he can, especially during homecoming. He has his own area where he sets up and cooks for our family and others. And every time he visits TLU, he always has on the shirt that says Texas Lutheran University Dad. I’m telling you it never fails with him and that darn t-shirt. But guess what, I love the support because I know there are people that wish they had that from their father.

Like I previously said in the beginning, my father and I are not close at all, but I would not want to replace him at all. We have our good moments and bad, but it doesn’t define how much I love him. I will never take for granted all that he does for me and the household. Again, I love him and will forever.