To my dad who never gets enough recognition as he should, I just want to start out by telling you that I love you. Not every little girl is blessed with a great dad like you, but I am so thankful God chose you to be my dad. You never fail trying to make all three of us girls happy, and you never stop trying to get more involved with our lives. I’m sorry that we’ve made it difficult for you at times, but I want you to know that we appreciate everything you do for us.

As a little girl growing up, I always admired everything you did. From hammering nails in the outside shack, to (attempting) to play tennis, I grew up always wanting to be like you. Although I turned out to be a diva or what you would call a “fo fo”, you never gave up on me. You knew growing up, that I had potential of excelling in other sports, but you settled for what I truly loved- Dance. Looking back at all those dance competitions and recitals, I am in awe of how calm you stayed! I know it wasn’t easy sitting through 4 hour long recitals or waiting in the audience until we danced at competition, but look at you now! You finally made it!!

Although Hope and I grew up loving girly things, you never let that phase you. You always tried to be involved in our lives, whether it was making the props for our dances or taking up photography, just because you knew how much we loved to be photographed. You never failed at being a great dad, because you were constantly thinking of new ideas to get involved with our lives. We made it difficult for you at times (I know), but thank you for never giving up… Not every dad would make that type of effort, but you did. That’s what makes you special.

Ever since I’ve got older, I’ve realized how blessed I was growing up. You and mommy never let us girls go unhappy. You always strived to give us everything we wanted, exactly when we wanted it! You taught me to be fair, honest, humble, kind and independent. Even though I made some mistakes along the way, you both did a great job of providing me with a great foundation. You loved me at my worst and loved me at my best. You let me make my own mistakes, but you were always there to pick me up when I fell. I could go on and on thanking you for all the incredible things you’ve done for me, but that’d be a never ending list.

When I think about all the good things that have happened in my life, I realize that none of them would have happened without you. When I got involved in pageant, I don’t think anyone of us knew exactly what we were getting into. Although you weren’t exactly for it, at first, you still chose to support me and let me follow my dreams. Who would have thought that just a few short months, after winning my first pageant, that you’d be buying me a $6,000 Sherri Hill dress?? NOT ME! But you did because you knew how much I loved it and most importantly, because you loved me that much. You soon added the “pageant dad” to your resume, along with being the greatest dance dad. You always encouraged me to reach for the stars, and always made the effort to be involved in my life, no matter what it was.

Unfortunately, God blessed you with three girly girls, but thank God that he did because I don’t know who else would be able to put up with us! Hopefully me or Hope will give you your ball player one day, but until then you’re stuck with us J Over the past 19 years, we’ve made some incredible memories. My favorite ones will always be the times I spent fishing with you on your boat, or the very first time I looked into your eyes, while pushing off of mommy’s chest. You were never just MY Dad; you were my friend’s dad as well! I remember always having to fight them off of you because they wanted you to flip them or push them in the cart. I remember all those times you took me to Georgia games and bought me every bit of red and black they had in the bookstore! And how can we forget about the time you chopped all my hair off, just so I wouldn’t fuss anymore about my “ballet bun not being perfect” haha. We’ve had some great memories. You’ve always given me everything I’ve wanted, even when I ask for money on my card lol. But most importantly you taught us girls what love should be like…. I can only hope and pray that my husband half as great as you.

You may not always be vocal, but you are what ties this family together. I know that no matter where I go or what I do, I can always look to you for help. You will always be my best friend, my motivation, my greatest mentor, and my deepest roots. My love for you is endless. I may not thank you as much as I should, but I want you to know that, I appreciate you more than you know. I’m honored to be your daughter, and I will always be your little girl no matter what.

I love you daddy.

- Anna