"Parents, they're strict on you when your little,and you don't understand why. But, as you get older, you understand and appreciate it." - Grant Hill

Dear dad, there have been so many moments that I have sworn I hated you. I remember crying and being that 14-year-old whose dad said "no." I felt hurt and at the time was being too selfish to see any of your reasoning's behind it. In my eyes, you were unfair and you didn't want me to be happy. I wish I could go back and take away all the hurtful things I said and tantrums I threw to get what I wanted. I could have cared less about your feelings, and I am truly sorry about that.

A daddy is a girl's first love, and you were mine. Every idea of how a man is supposed to be comes from you. When I turned 13, I inquired a blindness that only a teenager can have. I never understood why I couldn't hang out with my boyfriend alone, why I couldn't go to my friend's house whose parents were never home. I didn't understand why I couldn't wear tons of makeup and dye my hair whatever color I wanted. You used to tell me I was 13 going on 21, and now that I am 21 you were right.

I grew up thinking I wasn't loved,and that I was being punished for something I didn't do. Now, that I am older and about to become a mother myself, I laugh and almost cry at the way I treated you. You wanted the best for me. You wanted me to make something out of myself and you just tried to keep me out of trouble. You used to tell me "when you're older and you have a baby, you will understand" and I am starting to see that now.

I am blessed to have a father that cared as much as you did and still do. You never fail to remind me how much you love me and that I am the "baby girl". No matter how old I am, you always have room on your shoulder to listen to my problems and to hold me when I cry. When I was younger I thought you were my worst enemy, but now that I am older I see that you were always my number one fan.

Thank you for being a father to me. You were my daddy first, and friend second. Thank you for raising me to work for what I want,never take hand outs, and say my prayers every night before bed. Thank you for not giving in when I pitched a fit and for always reminding me "school first, boys second." Thank you for always loving me, even when I was hard to love."

P.S. I love you, dad.

"Behind every young child who believes in themselves is a parent who believed in them first." - Matthew L Jacobson