As father's day approaches, I have so much to thank you for. You're my first love and my favorite guy, you always will be. No one could take that position. Whether you're right down the hall or 3 hours away, I know I can depend on you. You're my best friend, honestly. Anyone that meets you knows how awesome you are. Who else would jam to random german rock and eat ice cream with me?

I'm in elementary school and I remember the endless piggy back rides, lots of shoe tying and many mornings where I refused to get out of bed when you woke me up. You taught me that you'll always be there to carry me when I can't. You taught me that the more and more I practice doing something, the closer I'll get to perfecting it. You taught me that if I don't listen to authority, there will be consequences (like getting water thrown on me when I don't get out of bed).

I'm in middle school and I hear you cheering me on as I mess up on the court or telling me that my hair looked good when it was dyed so many different colors. You showed me that day that you are my number one fan and you always will be, no matter what. You showed me that being me is the most beautiful form of myself, even if that meant blue hair.

I'm in high school and I see you pushing me to get a job. I see you reminding me to focus on my school work. Now I see that you were pushing me to get a job because you knew I was above just sitting home and watching TV all day. I see you pushing me to focus on school because you know I'm going to bigger and better things, but I have to do the baby steps to get there.

I'm in college and I find you constantly encouraging me, even on the days I don't think I need it. I find you working in overdrive to make sure I'm okay, even though you're over an hour away. I found out why your encouragement was present everyday; it was so I would be so mentally prepared with your kind words when some days got harder than expected. You worked in overdrive because you knew from time to time, I stalled out.

You know what's best for me at every point of my life. Everything you do for me has left a mark that I could never thank you enough for.

Everyone that meets me, then meets you and likes you more me (don't let that go to your head now).

Thank you for being the thug that you think you are.

Thank you for being the chef that you think you are.

Thank you for being the rockstar that you think you are.

But most importantly, thank you for being the superhero that I know you are.

Thank you for loving me, daddy.