Dear Papa,

I don’t know if you know this, but you are my favorite person in the whole world and you are whom I love the most. Both you and mom told me that ever since I learned how to speak, I called you Papa without anyone teaching me. Even for maymay, which means mommy in Burmese, someone had to teach me. Nobody had to teach me how to say Papa; I hope you remember that moment.

If I have to choose a person who I respect the most and get inspired by the most, it would be you. I didn’t realize it when I was young but your influence has been a significant impact on my life. I learned how to say the word "Mitsubishi Trishaw" when I was two. I had so much fun growing up with you because you always feel like a best friend to me. I always enjoy our conversations, especially about politics and your experiences when you were a little boy. I can learn so much from you and each day, I learn how to be like you. Mom always says, “you are just like your father.”

I am so proud to have you as my dad. You are the most amazing man I’ve ever met. You’re so intelligent and dedicated in everything you do. Your passions towards literature, politics and history are admirable. My entire life, I only experienced the best of the best because of you. You gave me a very happy family who are happily married. That’s the best gift to me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I know how much you work hard and how much you have sacrificed for me. I will be forever in debt if I ever think about how much I can even repay you because I can’t. Your whole life was about me; everything you have done was for me. I can’t find anyone else like this who can love me so much and forgive me every time I make mistakes. You have always told me that between you and I, I don’t need to apologize. I just need to change and learn from my mistakes. You told me you don’t want to hear an apology but I feel like I need to say it. I am truly sorry for every time I’ve hurt you and I want you to know that it was not intentional. That’s why I have changed so much. I hope you notice the changes. I am working so hard now to achieve my goals. Everyday, I am proving to you. There goes my apology.

I want you to be proud of me. I know you really are although you don’t say out loud that much. Back in Burma, every time I get the first place in my class every year, they also listed your name. Your name is at the top compared to other dads. I was so proud of that ever since I was little. I was the valedictorian for five consecutive years and you know how much I worked hard to achieve all the other accomplishments. I just want to make you proud because I want you to know that everything I am doing is for you. Ever since we were separated for four years when you left to work in Malaysia, I never want to be away from you again. That’s why without a second thought, I chose to stay with you when we reunited when I was 9. I will always stay with you.

I wanted to write this letter in honor of Father’s Day. I love you more than anyone else in the world.

Happy Father’s Day, Papa. Enjoy this special day because you deserve it.

Sincerely,

Thamee May Thu Khin