Dear Dad,

Sometimes I hate you. Or at least, I want to. But no matter how much I scream, cry, or even swear, I just can’t do it. I can’t hate you. You’re my dad.

Sure, we fight sometimes. In fact, you taught me how to argue--that’s why I’m so good at it. And that’s probably why we butt heads so often: because you and I are the same person. Not on the outside, of course, I’m way better looking. But on the inside, we are both just as stubborn as one another. Despite what it sounds like, I’m grateful to be like you, Dad. There’s no one else I’d rather be like, actually. I know I don’t ever say things like this (again, stubborn like you) so I’ll just type it instead. But just know that no matter the platform I use to convey my thoughts, I mean it when I say that you’re the most amazing father ever.

When you’re not driving me insane, you’re likely making me smile.

I know it’s not easy to have teenage daughters, and you’re already a little bit awkward when it comes to human emotion, but you never fail to make me laugh. Thank God you don’t make those lame dad jokes like most fathers do. Nope, your jokes are one of two things: either hilariously R-rated or so confusing that I just laugh because your laugh makes me so happy. And instead of lending me a shoulder to cry on when I get broken up with, you simply ridicule my ex-boyfriend and tell me that the “dumbass” isn’t worth my time. That is my favorite. It’s so unconventional and you give me what I need most when I’m sad-- a smile. I almost wish I could get broken up with more often just to hear more insults that you come up.

That brings me to my next point: Dad, you’ve always taught me to do no harm but take no shit. It’s great, really. You’ve taught me to be respectful but if someone isn’t respecting you, then stick up for yourself. Now I’m a moody person. Just about anything that anyone does can piss me off. Sound familiar, Dad? Anyway, that attitude used to carry over onto the soccer field and even at work. My dad told me never to start anything, but don’t be afraid to end it. I mean, he used other language, but I’m keeping it PG. So Dad, I always do my best to take the high road, but sometimes the low road is just more fun. But you understand that.

Finally, you’ve taught me to always work hard, no matter the task at hand, but to stay humble. Dad, you work day in and day out as a motorcycle technician. In fact, you take care of your four children on a technician’s salary. It doesn’t sound fancy, but you’re the smartest person I have ever met, and your hard work has made you one of the best Triumph motorcycle technicians in the entire world! You’d never admit that, but a quick google search would prove me right.

And your skills aren’t limited to motorcycles. From our laptops to our cars and even to mishaps with kitchen appliances, you literally can fix it all. It never ceases to amaze me. It always made me proud when my high school boyfriend would come over and you’d have your head under the hood of a car. “That’s my dad. He’s just fixing the transmission,” I’d say nonchalantly, as if it were just that simple. They’d then try to speak “car talk” to impress me and I’d roll my eyes knowing their mechanical skills were likely next-to-nothing.

Dad, I know that I joke around a lot with you and that I’m being silly in this letter, but I really do have the utmost respect for you. You are seriously the funniest, most intelligent and incredible guy I know. You set the bar so high Dad, and no man in my eyes will ever be able to compare to you.

You freaking rock.

Love always,

Claire Lilly.