The other day, while walking down the aisle at Meijer looking for the perfect pound of meat, in passing, a man made a slightly racy comment about my beauty. Immediately, my walls went up and I just continued walking. However, it got me thinking about beauty and how grateful I am that you took the time to show me what embodies true beauty.

Through years of glasses, braces, and baggy jeans, you never once wavered from telling me — "you're beautiful." Even when I would complain, "my hair is too short," "my eyes are too big," "there's a zit on my nose," "my stomach isn't flat and my thigh gap is too small." You never showed frustration, you simply sat me down and uttered, "You're perfect the way you are."

All those years of shopping for the perfect outfits, the newest shoes, and the cutest accessories never seemed too satisfied. Through all the "boy-crazed" years, the tears and insecurities, you never once missed a moment to embrace me in a hug and tell me the truth, that I was beautiful.

Of course, it wasn't until one summer day right before my freshman year of college that I truly grasped what you had been telling me all those years. From the little comments about my outfits, hair, and attitude, to our in-depth chit-chats over the dinner table, you taught me how truly beautiful I was.The most beautiful part about it is that you did it without me realizing it.

You taught me to always remember that beauty isn't simply physical, it comes from within. True beauty emerges from your heart and shines through your smile.

You taught me beauty comes in many different forms. It may not be the same for everyone but like you always quoted, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

You taught me to embrace who I am and stand with confidence and grace. To have a generous soul and a servant's heart because those are characteristics of true beauty.

There are not enough words to fully express how thankful I am that you never gave up on this message. Because of you, I've been able to show other women just how beautiful they truly are and that beauty transcends the physical being. I've been able to knock down the walls that my insecurities built and was able to lay a new foundation of confidence.

Thank you for never giving up on me when I chose not to believe you.

Thank you for pushing me to look past the plastic that media portrays as beauty.

Thank you for not only teaching me what true beauty is, but making me feel beautiful each and every day.

And lastly, thank you for being the first man to ever tell me I'm beautiful.

A girl never forgets being called beautiful, especially by her father.

Love always,

Your Little Girl