I was six months old when you first made your appearance in my life, or so I am told. I was two years old when you married my mother. I don't have much memory of it, but I love looking at the photos. I was in third grade when you adopted me, and I took on the last name "Hayes." Everyone was confused. I mean we were third graders, what do you expect? How did my last name just change overnight? But none of it mattered because I finally got to share the same last name as the man who raised me. The man who would always be there. I finally got to share the same last name as my dad.

Here I am, 20 years old, thinking about all that you have done for me. Thinking about how little I tell you just how much you have impacted my life, and just how thankful I am for everything that you are.

So, here it is. Here are the words that you deserve to hear, but that will never do justice to just how much I love you.

You were the man who was always there. When the world seemed suffocating, you reminded me that I had oxygen. You married a mother of two and took them in as your own. You showed us love and compassion. You gave us more than we ever needed. When our cups were empty, you provided.

You would give the shirt off of your back for anyone in need, and I love that as I say that, I know it is not an exaggeration. To most people, it's just a statement, but when I say it about you, I know that it is true.

We disagree a lot. You have done things that have hurt me and I have done things that have upset you, but all of that is temporary in comparison to the love that you have shown me as a father.

You are the award-winning father that you see in any Hallmark movie, only you're actually so much more.

I'm insecure, I'm stubborn, I talk too much, I think I have the answer to everything and I will always challenge anything that you say. But despite it all, you are patient with me. You challenge me right back and you remind me what it is like to have a true father.

I am so undeserving of all you do for me, yet you do it anyways. Not only for me but for everyone that you encounter. I don't say thank you enough, I don't call you enough, and I don't remind you how much I love you enough, but please, always know that I do.

Your heart is large and giving, and that's just naturally who you are.

I remember little things about you from when I was younger. I remember when I was a young girl, this old country song by Tim Mcgraw called "My Little Girl," would come on, and every time you would act like you were singing it to me. Everyone knows how much I dislike country music today, but the other day I found myself searching that song just to remember those times. No matter how old I get, no matter how much I dislike country, that will always be our song. I will always be your little girl.

So, dad here is to everything that you are and all that you have been for me. You are the father that every little girl deserves, and I am so proud to be able to say I was the little girl who got you.

I love you, dad, more than you will ever know.