Most of the articles I write, I typically aim towards real life situations; but most of the situations I write about I either witness myself or I've learned through my Dad. I never realized how much of an impact my Dad has made in my life until I talked with him on the phone just the other day.

We were talking about my future goals and what I needed to do to achieve them. As I was explaining to him on the phone what my plans were and what I wanted to do, he made this comment: "wow, I didn't realize that you were actually listening to me all these years and are now applying what I've taught you." Once he said that, I didn't even realize that that's what I was doing. Growing up he would give me advice about anything. Sometimes what he told me was important at the time and I was listen to him, but other times when I heard what he said, I would think to myself "that doesn't apply to me right now, so I don't need to worry about it." But now that I'm preparing to graduate this December, I've come to realize that I was actually listening all these years and I'm just now applying what he's taught me.

If it wasn't for my dad, I wouldn't know how to handle certain situations that happen in my life today. I wouldn't have the patience or mindset that I do if it wasn't for him. Growing up I didn't think it was important to listen to his advice on searching for careers or creating a LinkenIn profile. Instead, I would just let it go through one ear and out the other; but realistically, I was absorbing the information that he told me without even realizing it.

As I started to hit my junior year of college that's when I started to realize that some of the stuff my Dad told me growing up was actually true. There were so many things that I needed to do to be ahead of the game and be where everyone else was at. Part of me wished I would had listed to my Dad and started preparing a long time ago, but I eventually got caught up and starting getting my life together.

As I'm preparing for graduation, I am more confident than I've ever been and it's because of my Dad. He helped prepare me for this day and made me into the person that I am now. I personally don't think I've thanked my dad enough for this, so here it goes: Dad, if you're reading this (which I know you are) then I want to say thank you for everything you've done for me. Thank you for helping me through college, financially and mentally. You are my rock and always will be. You will always be the person I call when I need to vent about my professor not showing up to my class, or even if it's to tell you exciting news that I got a call back for an interview.

So Dad, let me leave you with one last thing: you will always be the light in my life and for that, I thank you. I love you so very much and I will always be your baby girl; and just remember, you will always be my "Daddy-O."