Dear Dad,

Celebrating Father's Day this past weekend made me think about all the things you have done for me and continue to do for me throughout my life. (And I appreciate everything you do for me every other day of the year too). I feel like there isn't anything you haven't done for me. Big or small, I know I can come to you for anything and you'll have it under control within the next 20 minutes. Being your only daughter means that you'll always be protective over me no matter what (and I know it's never going to stop, as you've always told me, so I've learned to accept this). I just wanted to say thank you for all the things you've done for me, big and small.

Thank you for being overprotective.

Yes, at times, you were a little overbearing. And by "at times" I mean pretty much all the time. But I've grown to appreciate it because I know you'll always have my back no matter what. You've also trained my brothers to be just as insanely overprotective as you so I'll always have one of you there.

Thank you for teaching me to dream bigger.

Since I can remember, you've always been the one to tell me to dream bigger and to do whatever will make me happy. From the time I was 12 and wanted to be a marine biologist until now, as I'm pursuing my passion for Journalism, you've always been there to tell me I can do whatever I put my mind to. In a world filled with so much doubt and uncertainty, it's nice to always have you there telling me it will all work out.

Thank you for raising me the way you did.

You and Mom raised me in a way that I felt like nothing was impossible. I grew up to believe in the things I'm passionate about and stick to them. I grew up to believe that there were good people in the world. I grew up to believe that I could do anything. And I learned that from the two best role models I'll ever have, you and Mom.

Thank you for always making me laugh.

I don't think there's ever been a day when you haven't cracked a joke that made me smile (while also rolling my eyes at you). You're always doing something to make me laugh even if that means embarrassing me in public, which I've learned happens almost everywhere we go. Whether it's rolling down the windows singing a song at the top of your lungs or telling me one of your old high school stories, you're constantly making me laugh. But no matter how embarrassing it is, it's okay with me because it makes every day a little bit brighter.

Thank you for being you dad, please never change (no matter how many times I beg you to stop embarrassing me). I love you to the moon and back.

Love,

Your Little Girl