You taught me that I can accomplish all of my hopes and dreams. Although my dreams seem out of reach sometimes, you always assure me that I can accomplish whatever I desire to be in this world. You've taught me that all it takes is effort and perseverance. That no matter what stumbling block comes, I can push it out of the way. Because of you, I know that giving up is not an option. Someday when I am living the life I've always wanted to live, I will always look back and know that you are the person I am to thank. I wouldn't make it far without you.

You believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. There have been many instances where I was down on myself. I would come home with that attitude that I was failing, or that I couldn't do something. You were always there to pick me up. You didn't tell me, "You're right." Instead, you looked at me and said, "No, you got this." or "Shake it off, you'll get the next one." You pushed me to keep going, and you still continue to push me.

You're always right. I don't know how you do it, but you are always right. Every single time you meet a new friend of mine you tell me whether or not they will be here in the long run, or if it will be a toxic friendship. So far you have been 100% on that topic and I honestly want to know where I can develop those instincts. Or what about all those times I ask you a question on my math homework and you do some weird problem-solving technique to get there. Your techniques are nowhere near what I learned in class, but somehow you got way closer than I ever did to the correct answer. I could find many more instances of when you've been right, but we'd have a novel.

You've taught me what type of person I want to be. Genuine, kind, compassionate, smart, and successful. I can't wait to be a parent like you someday.

You're patient with me. I make scatter brained decisions, I talk back, and I aggravate you every now and then, but you stay patient with me. You understand that I'm still learning how to do life. Instead of freaking out at me, you teach me a lesson. Although I seem annoyed at the time, I always take what you say and use it. Like I said earlier, you're always right. I'm also thankful that you're patient with me at the mall. I know how much you hate shopping, but if I want to look around a store you'd find the nearest massage chair and sit there for hours while I look.

You make the dumbest jokes. You make the dumbest jokes, but in the end, they're always my favorite jokes. I even find myself telling my friends about them, but a majority of the time I can't quite get the joke out because of how hard I'm laughing.

You love me unconditionally. I mess up a lot, but you love me anyways. Through the good and the bad, you'll always be the number one man in my life. I'll be lucky if I get to marry a man that's half as great as you are.

I love you, Dad.