You were the first man I ever loved, and the first man I looked to for support. From the day I was born you were always there to hold me when I cried, and for that I will always be grateful. There were a lot of times while I was growing up that I overheard you question your ability to be a good father, and it always came as this huge surprise to me that you didn’t just realize how amazing you were. I thought great dads always just knew that they were great.

You gave up so much on an everyday basis, just to make sure that your kids had everything they would need and want. I will never be able to thank you for everything that you have done for me because you would always go above and beyond to keep a smile on my face. I remember sleeping on the floor next to your bed in the middle of the night because I was scared from my nightmares, and the only way I could fall asleep was if I was holding your hand.

Although there were times as the years progressed that I would get upset with you because you said no to certain things that I wanted to have or wanted to do, I realize now that you were teaching me how to be a responsible adult for my future.

You taught me to work hard for what I wanted because nothing in this life will be handed to you. You taught me to be compassionate to the people around me and that I should always put others before myself. Everything that has made me a better person today was a lesson that you taught me.

Not only did you teach me how to be a better person, but you also showed me how I deserve to be treated by a man. You spent each day showing Mom how much you love and appreciated her, and watching you do so much for her and our family, you helped me see how a real man should be. But at the same time you made sure that I knew I didn’t need a man to be successful in this world, all I need is the support from my loved ones and some belief in myself and I could do it all.

I am so thankful for being blessed with such an amazing father as you. And I hope you never go another day questioning if you were good enough for this family because you were our rock through everything. I love you daddy, and I always will!