I’m sure you’ve all heard the theory before-- the theory that women often end up dating or even marrying a man that is similar to their father. Why is this? I think it’s because growing up you learn to know how your father treats you, what he says, how he acts in certain situations and how he treats your mom. My dad set the bar pretty high, but that doesn’t mean that my future boyfriend or husband couldn't match that or even beat it. Just be aware that it’s pretty tough to live up to my dad.

He was always around physically and emotionally.

I am very fortunate to have the dad that I do. From the day that I was born up until this very day, he was, and always is, there for me. He was there for my school and sports activities all throughout elementary, middle and high school. He was there for my award nights and graduation nights for various things. He was there when I moved into college and then into my apartment that I live in now.

Not only is my dad always there physically to support me, but he's always there emotionally. He’s there when I’m lost about what I should or shouldn't do. He’s there when I tell him I don’t know what I want to do with my life. He’s there when my heart gets broken, but tells me, "that’s part of life and it’s how you learn." My dad didn't ever leave the house that much. He worked of course, but he was home more than he wasn’t. He loved his family and cared more about spending time with us than anything else. Even when I go through old photos of the family, he's in almost every one. Bottom line is that he’s always there.

He has working hands.

My dad has always been able to do things even without previous knowledge-- he’s just good about picking up anything on the spot. He is very hands on and knows how to fix things. He can fix anything from a broken shelf to a truck. He knows his stuff and I don’t know how he does it.

Since I've grown up seeing my dad do a lot of things like working on vehicles, making or fixing anything for the house or even just mowing the lawn, I know that I want to be with someone who is knowledgeable about a wide variety of things. I try to be like my dad and do all the things that he can do so that I can be independent, but I want to be able to know that if I can’t do it, my future boyfriend or husband can.

He is very loving and caring.

My dad is a very loving and caring man not only to me, but to my mom and my brother as well. He’s always been good about showing us that he loves us. He hugs me whenever he sees me, and that’s something that I always look forward to. Whenever I come over, he asks how school is or what I've been up to. He always likes to make sure everything is good with my car, like my oil or gas or windshield wiper fluid because if not, he’ll take care of it. Whenever I leave the house, he always tells me that he loves me and to drive safe, and even to let him or mom know when I get to where I’m going. I look forward to hearing that phrase whenever I leave him and mom behind: “drive safe, we love you.”

He isn't lazy.

My dad doesn't ever stop moving. He loves to be active whether it’s working two jobs, going to watch my brother play sports, doing yard work, playing golf or anything else that doesn't involve sitting in the house. My dad is on the go 24/7, and that’s not always a bad thing because half the time it has something to do with my brother and I. That being said, he doesn't take much time to unwind.

He puts me first.

Not that I’m a daddy’s girl…Okay, maybe I am-- but there’s nothing wrong with that. I’ve always been very close with my dad and I like knowing that he’s always there for me whenever I need him, no matter what the time or circumstances may be.

So to my future boyfriend or husband, you can see that my dad set the bar pretty high. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. My dad showed me how I want to be treated, taken care of and loved someday, and I am forever grateful.