My dad was the first man I ever loved, and growing up, I thought he would be the only man I would ever love. Before I was even tall enough to see over the kitchen counters, I used to look up at my dad and say, "Daddy, you're the only man I'm ever going to marry!"

Now that I'm 21 years old, I still idolize my dad and he's still my biggest hero. But now I have fallen in love with another man who just happens to have remarkably similar qualities as my dad.

I often find myself saying to my boyfriend, "alright DAD" when he hounds me about my severely past due oil change or my heavy foot on the gas pedal.

But I also find myself thinking in the back of my mind that I wouldn't have it any other way.

My dad treated me like a princess my whole life growing up and he still does. Now I have another man who treats me like a princess and always puts me first.

Whenever we are walking down the side of the street, my boyfriend Jaxson always makes it a point to be on the side of the traffic, protecting me from a possible car steering off the road.

This is something that my dad always does for my sister and me whenever we are walking down a road. That protective factor is one that I appreciate so much in Jaxson because it is a little gesture that speaks volumes about just how much he cares about me.

Opening the door for a lady is something that my dad has always drilled into my mind of being a minimal expectation of a gentleman. And not only does Jaxson open doors for me but he's always the one to do it for others too. My dad has always been the guy to do the same thing too which I think says a lot about both of their characters.

My dad is also a huge family man. Coming from a huge Italian family, it's in his nature to always put family first and remember family is the most important thing.

As I have gotten to know Jaxson and his family, they resemble the exact same importance in family that I have seen my whole life. He always makes it a priority to spend quality time with his family and does everything he can to help them out.

My dad has been the ultimate example of what a great man looks like. He has always reminded me of my worth and told me to never settle for just an average man and to end up with someone who treats me as well as he does.

I think the fact that Jaxson has time and time again resembled qualities that are so similar to the first man I ever loved is a sure sign that I am in the right relationship.

There was a standard that was set and it has been exceeded.