Dad,

There are so many things that I want to say to you so that you know just how much I appreciate and love you. You’re the man that I look up to. I can’t condense them into this letter though because the amount of love I have for you can never be put into words that will truly illustrate your importance to me. The only words that are continuously running through my mind are “thank you” and even those two words will never fully express my gratitude, but I’ll do my best to.

Thank you for the laughs.

You are the funniest human being I have ever met. Your jokes are weird and your version of something being funny is completely off the normal person spectrum, but I love it. With nights at the dinner table where we joke about something only we understand, you telling me something knowing I will be the only one laughing, even helping me learn to execute jokes the way that you do so effortlessly have been some of the greatest moments spent with you. I cherish those jokes and laughs and always look forward to more moments like that. With inside jokes about billy goats and snarky comments about whatever topic is at hand, I always have something to laugh at with you or even at you for. I can only hope that as I grow up your humor engulfs my personality even more and I can be just like you, only girl form.

Thank you for the support.

I can go to you for anything. For a deep talk, some advice, even gas money. You are always there for me, and I am incredibly lucky to be able to have someone like you to go to. While you have your jokester side, you have this side of you that is kind and loving and helpful and I love that side of you just as much as I love your jokes. I know I can tell you whatever it is that’s on my mind, whether it’s crazy stories from college or boy problems, you genuinely care and have the time and patience and love to listen and talk about it. You support me with words and actions. You’re my personal ATM and though that is taking tolls on your wallet it ultimately is helping me and I am unbelievably grateful for you and your actions. Words nor money will ever be enough to pay you back but I hope my love for you can.

Thank you for the hard work.

You’re my hero. Your life has been a whirlwind adventure. You had to grow up too quickly, you’ve been through hell and back with many different events, you’ve hit low points. But you have always risen from the pain and triumphed from it. You’ve only ever fought for me and my happiness while pausing your own, and you’re incredible for always looking out for me and everyone around you. You are so important to me and my growing up and I am the luckiest girl in the world that I get to be your kid. You’re so strong and such a hard worker towards everything, even the smallest accomplishments finish with a bang due to your dedication and willingness to work hard on whatever the task is. I look up to you, I admire you and your life, and I love you for everything that you’ve done.

Dad, you deserve the world. You deserve to win the lottery. Even more, you deserve to have statues built for you. You’re an amazing father and I wouldn’t be who I am today without you, so luckily I get to be your kid. For the past almost 19 years, I got to spend my time with my hero and my favorite man on this planet. I was able to grow up a more happy and confident girl because I had you by my side to mend me and shape me to be who I am. For all the years of money lost, tempers tamed, diapers changed, and being the man that I look up to, all I can say is thank you, and most of all, I love you.