Dear Daddy,

I will always treasure the memories we have shared throughout the years, starting with the day I was born. I definitely don't remember it as clearly as you do, but I'm sure it was pretty momentous, as my birth bestowed you the title "Dad."

I love watching old family videos of myself as a baby, usually waiting for you to get home from work since you were my idol. Yeah, Mom was pretty cool to spend time with, but she didn't pretend to run into walls, or give me piggy back rides, constantly leaving me in a fit of giggles.

When it came time to enroll in sports and dance classes, you were always there cheering me on from the sidelines, and always attended my recitals with a bouquet of flowers, making me feel like a princess. Even though I would occasionally retort back angrily to your sideline coaching, or refuse to take pictures after dancing because hunger and fatigue had consumed me, I always appreciated your efforts.

Although I was upset about your strict "no dating" rule throughout middle and almost all of high school, I appreciate it now. It made me realize that I deserve someone in my life who is going to treat me well and respect me, the way you treat Mom. Of course, my future husband will never take the spot of "number one man in my life," but you taught me that he should come pretty close to that level of excellence!

Watching you go to work every day has made me appreciate the importance of hard work and saving money. I apply those lessons to my jobs now, as well as my school work. I may have responded with a lot of sass and resistance at the time, but I really appreciated the time you put in to helping me with homework or studying for a test. Not to mention, all those school projects you helped me with were nothing short of art gallery worthy.

Yes, our ideas occasionally clash, especially when you treat me like your client (total architect move), but your professional opinion usually ended up making the project the best in the class. Full circle to my life now as a college student, I always appreciate you checking up on me and giving me advice. All the deposits into my checking account for textbooks and food are also very much appreciated! Overall, your role in my life has shaped who I am today, making me a confident, strong-willed, creative, and occasionally stubborn, young woman. I will forever cherish that, so thank you, Dad.

Love,
Your little girl.