January 17th was my dads 60th birthday. Considering the fact that he was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer almost a year ago, it is pretty remarkable that he is here to celebrate with us. To celebrate, my siblings, mother, and I came up with "60 Reasons We Love Pop." Here we go:

1. When he uses your car, it always comes back fixed and filled up with gas.

Seriously. He fills up all our cars with gas regularly, and will do anything to get it running smoothly. New tires? No problem. Just let my dad borrow your car far a day.

2. The funniest human being alive.

Ok, so you'd think he wrote that one. But he really is a funny guy, and has a joke for every situation.

3. Super Dad and now Super Pop.

It didn't take me long to realized my dad was a Super Hero, and now his grandkids see that too.

4. The way he always cries while watching Rudy.

My dad has such a soft heart, and any sentimental movie can make him cry.

5. His ability to calm me down and talk me through three natural births and multiple CAT scans.

My mom is super woman and had all her kids naturally.

6. He is my motivation to keep striving.

This is one that I wrote, but I think we can all agree. Dad is our biggest supporter and wants to see us all succeed.

7. He has always encouraged me.

See number 6 above.

8. He is always making jokes about something.

See number 2 above.

9. How much he cares about us.

He is such a caring man and wants the best for us all.

10. I love knowing that he always has my back and is proud of me.

He's always standing in my corner, cheering me on.

11. Completely selfless attitude.

He will put anyone above himself on any given day.

12. Sweet & extremely caring.

See number 9 above.

13. The way he shows no fear in the face of adversity.

This year has been his hardest one yet, but he has not let cancer get him down

14. He can't go to Baton Rouge without getting beignets.

I mean he can't even drive through the town without stopping at Coffee Call.

15. Never afraid to be embarrassing.

I definitely did not write this one. While it may be true, I would not categorize it under "Reasons I love my dad."

16. His ability to tell the best stories.

Although some of them are made up, he has the best stories and can always entertain a crowd.

17. His amazing unconditional love for me.

I know there is nothing I could do to ever lose his love.

18. Pushes me high on the swing.

This one courtesy of my 3-year-old niece.

19. How he is so generous.

He would give the shirt off his back to anyone he meets.

20. Second biggest Ragin Cajuns fan (holding in his love for the Tigers)

My sister, who hates LSU, being the first.

21. His willingness to do whatever and always game for a road trip.

Impromptu road trips are the best road trips. One year we decided to go to Graceland and left 15 minutes later.

22. Awesome sense of humor.

Not only is he funny himself, but he really gets other peoples jokes and humor.

23. His sense of adventure.

See number 21 above.

24. He barely complains about anything.

He's been dealt a lot lately, and any normal person would be complaining about it all, but not my dad.

25. Hilarious when not trying to be.

This is my favorite kind of funny. While he tells jokes all the time, he's most funny when not trying.

26. Slightly funny when trying.

See number 25 above.

27. His delicious Bar-B-Que Chicken.

It's his specialty, and we can always look forward to it at family holidays.

28. He always has a positive attitude no matter what he goes through.

Even before cancer, he has always seen the bright side of things.

29. He taught me how to value things and not take it for granted.

Nothing in this life is guaranteed or owed to us, and we must be thankful for all we have.

30. I trust him with my life.

I know he would always protect me with everything he has.

31. Showed me how to be a good husband.

This one is from my brother (clearly) but he showed us all how to be a good person.

32. He always treats me like a princess.

Since I was born, I've been treated like a princess and I know that no matter how old I get, I will always be daddy's little girl.

33. Opens his home to everyone.

Sometimes against my mothers well wishes, he will invite anyone and everyone in for a hot meal.

34. Showed me how to be a good dad.

See number 31 above.

35. His big heart.

He loves everyone and has such a big heart, despite being a Probation Officer and dealing with the worst of society.

36. His firm belief that you just follow the rules.

He's such a rule follower and a goody two shoes. Truth be told, it can be a bit annoying.

37. His deep, deep love for his children and willingness to help them out in any way they need.

I know I can always go to my dad whenever I need anything.

38.Dependable, you can always count on him even at the last minute.

He will always drop whatever he's doing to help anyone out.

39. His knowledge of all things Judge Judy, second only to his vast knowledge of all Old Westerns.

If he's watching TV, you can bet one of these two are on.

40. Never let me down.

Ever. He is always there for me.

41. How much he loves us.

I think this one goes without saying, but his love really goes beyond compare.

42. Always put his family's needs before his own.

Again, he will drop whatever it is he's working on to help out any one of us.

43. He watches all the Marvel Movies with me.

This one courtesy of my brother, but I know he'd always be down to watch Law and Order with me.

44. Will drop anything to help out any of his kids.

See number 42 above.

45. What other GDI dad gets 'face down' at a fraternity party.

My sister wrote this. I would never let my dad into a fraternity party.

46. He's the Full House dads all rolled into one, Danny Tanner for life lessons, Joey for jokes, Uncle Jesse for good looks.

No wonder I can relate to this show so much.

47. He's a strong person.

Both physically, and mentally.

48. His love for his parents, and his siblings. Well, his whole family.

He goes to his parents house every morning and doesn't go two days without seeing one of his 7 siblings.

49. Always a surprise 'Apple Pie' flavor.

Send him to the store for apple pie, he'll come back with Cherry.

50. My number one fan.

Like I said, always in my corner.

51. He always puts other people's feelings ahead of his own.

He'll spare his own feelings to save hurting someone else.

52. His work ethic which is sorely lacking in today's society.

He's always been such a hard worker, and I'm sure its a struggle for him to figure out what to do with his time now that he's retired.

53. His ability to drive all night long as long as talk radio is on.

Which is not that enjoyable for anyone else in the car with him.

54. Lets me blow out birthday candles.

Again, courtesy of my niece. Even when its not her birthday.

55. Taught me what 'I am Third means' and lives it.

God first, family second, I am Third.

56. Always prompt, eg: 30 minutes early.

I guess I got that from my dad. I have to be early to being early.

57. Always has a treat in his pocket.

This one courtesy of my sisters dog, but he always has candy for the kids too.

58. How he boils crawfish even though he does not like crawfish.

Even though he won't admit he doesn't like crawfish.

59. I would take a bullet for him in less than a second.

Because he deserves it.

60. Because he deserves the world.

Simple as can be.

And there you have it.