It's not enough to say that he's the one you turn to on a bad day. And really, it's not enough to say that he's the one who you celebrate with on a good one. Dad is the one who is there regardless of what time of day it is, what day of the week it is, and what else is going on.

Finishing my fifth week here in D.C., I understand more fully the extent to which I could not have done this without my parents. There were a lot of differences between Ligonier and D.C., and when I broke down crying in an organic grocery store, they were by my side telling me it was going to be OK. And, as usual, they were right.

If you know me, you know that crying is my coping mechanism. I use it to relieve stress, when I feel sick, when I'm angry, etc. I cry at movies, at season finales of my favorite shows, and at change. The grocery store was perhaps my all-time low, however, because it was in public! I think then I wanted to cry not only because I was overwhelmed, but because I was embarrassed too.

On that day, I cried in front of my dad. He was being so kind in showing me around, helping me to find a brand similar to one we had at home, and asking me what kind of salad dressings, soups, and chips I would like best. He was paying the grocery bill, my first real individual one, to help me settle in, and all I could do was nod for a few minutes before I pulled it together.

My dad has seen me cry on numerous occasions, obviously, given all of the circumstances that seem to bring me to tears. It is not enough to thank him in this article, but the fact that he doesn't think that I'm silly for crying, whether it be over a bad boyfriend, a fight with a friend, or a new lifestyle in D.C., has always been comforting to me.

I hope that, some day, I can raise a daughter who has the kind of dad that I did. The kind of dad that was never too busy to talk with you about anything, no matter how trivial. The kind of dad who worked hard at work, and then in the meantime grilled dinner, coached soccer, and helped us all redo our rooms, as well as the attic, and now, the dining room. He also keeps our teeth clean, so that's a bonus feature that most dads don't have.

They say that you are attracted to men who are like your dad. That statement is slightly creepy, but more and more, every day, I am beginning to see how that works in real life. It isn't creepy; it just means that you have a really great dad. And I hope to be as great as my mom so that I can snag one of those great guys like my dad.

My parents have shown me the perks of a great marriage, and how two great people can come together to form something even greater. That would be me. I'm only kidding about that last part -- but thank you, Dad, for everything you have done knowingly, and unknowingly. Thank you for being a real demonstration of a man who seeks God in his marriage, his family, his work, and his daily life. Thank you for showing me the type of guy that I should be looking for. Thank you for teaching me the most valuable lessons that I have needed more than ever this summer.

Thanks for making an intern out of me, Dad, and Happy Father's Day.