Dad,

Although you deserve a thank you every day, Father's Day seems like the appropriate time to get sappy and sentimental.

Since I was born, you were always the one I ran to when I had a skinned knee, when I had a broken heart, or when I needed a laugh. Sometimes those experiences ended in a lecture or maybe a little punishment, but I knew that I needed it, and I knew that you still loved me no matter what.

When I learned how to drive - you were there. When my mental health got bad - you were there. When I had a problem in school - you were there. I can't remember a time in my life that I didn't feel comfortable going to you with anything and everything because I knew that you supported me. Not necessarily in some poor choices I made, but you supported how I could fix the consequences of those poor choices.

You were never hung up on what school I went to or what job I got because you believed that in anything I did (and still do), I would be successful. And whenever I needed to hear that encouragement, I looked no further than you. You drilled into me that I could be president and do it well or be a garbage collector (yes, that came up) and still do that well too - but only if I gave it my all. No matter what I was diving into, you supported it - but only if I truly gave my 110%.

Thank you for modeling what a true gentleman is. One who holds the door (for everyone), one who doesn't yell (but still disciplines), one who shows me the true worth that I possess. Your belief in me got me farther than anything else in this world and I believe that without that support, I wouldn't be who I am today.

Even though you provide for the rest of the family and me, you show me that it's not by cutting corners or cheating the world, but by hard work. Nothing in this world is free, and you've been the perfect example of that. Discipline, sweat, and tears are what makes progress and I've learned that from you for almost 20 years.

Even though my dreams and aspirations are different than anyone else's, you've told me that it doesn't matter - I'm my own person with my own life, and I should never give that up. You've taught me that standing up for what I believe (even if it's hard), is better than staying silent. You've taught me to not get stepped on and when to speak my mind. You've taught me that it's okay to drop everything to help someone - in fact, it's encouraged. You've taught me the value of a dollar, the work you need to do to get that dollar, and how to spend that dollar wisely.

Thanks to you, I know when to take my car to the shop, when to put back that cute shirt and save for college, and when to accept that I need help. I have never doubted for a second that I had support from you - even when it seemed inconvenient.

Even though some days I joke about it, I really wouldn't trade you for any other father in the world. I love you, and I appreciate everything you do and have taught me.