To the first guy I ever loved,
Thank you for all you have taught me and supported me through. During my childhood years, you were the only man that I loved. There were no crushes, no boyfriends, only you. You taught me to be polite, respect my elders, and always strive to succeed. Those were my childhood years, learning right from wrong.
During my pre-teen years and teenage years, I'll admit that it was very easy for me to drift. Like most other teenage girls, I was figuring out who I was and which social circle I was a part of. It wasn't that I was eager to put my social life before the first guy I ever loved, but it was very exciting to get a sense of freedom and learn things on my own. Something interesting about those years is that while you were the first guy I ever loved, I no longer acted like I was your baby girl.
During my senior year of high school, I had so many realizations. I realized that I would soon be going off to college and that so much would change. This was a time in which I really reflected on what I have learned in my short eighteen years of life. The biggest impact on me would be the time I would be spending away from home, but you prepared me for this chapter in my life since the day I started kindergarten. I knew that you always wanted for me to be a bright, intelligent, and successful lady - so you really encouraged me to be where I am today. While college came quickly approaching, I thought about the importance that the first guy I loved played in my life. You taught me so much about myself and about the world around me. During my senior year in high school, I started dating a wonderful guy. I can thank you for showing me what to look for in a guy, because of the male figure you are in my life. You taught me that a nice guy is caring towards his family and everyone around him, is driven by his goals in life, is hard working, will respect me, and will always make me feel loved and appreciated. You taught me that I should look for someone who brings out the best in me and I in him, and that I can be best friends with - I am so happy to know that guy right now. Because of you, I knew what to look for in my relationships and friendships and how to treat those around me as well. I knew that I wanted to go to college and be successful, and make a future for myself because you and Mom placed such great importance on that. Now that I'm here at college with a ton of freedom, it's easy to see that I took advantage of always having you around to watch after me and help me make life decisions. Of course, you will always play an active role in my life, but I am grateful that you have taught me to be independent.
Because of you, I stand up for myself, I work for what I want, and I am aware of the type of love I want in my life. Through our talks, me ever being punished (which rarely happened, of course), and our father-daughter friendship, I know so much about myself and what I want to make of my life. Thank you for helping me become the young lady I am today. No matter who I meet in life, who impacts me, where I end up in life, and who I come to love - you will always be the first guy I ever loved, and the first guy that ever loved me.
Happy belated birthday!
Love,
Your daughter
