Growing up I never once questioned the path you chose for us because the trust I have in you is unimaginable. Now that I'm older and understand the struggle you went through, my respect and gratitude is unthinkable. As a father, you sacrificed so much to assure i never had to go without. Not many little girls get to say, "my daddy dressed me for dance", "my dad did my hair today", or my favorite, "my daddy went pageant and prom dress shopping with me." The little things you have done for me have never gone unnoticed.

When I looked back you were always there.

Whether you were letting me crawl in bed and wake you when I got scared of a thunderstorm, giving me boy advice or making sure my cheer uniform was always pulled down to my knees, you were the best dad I could have ever asked for. I'm sure I wasn't always the easiest to raise, but you raised me to be everything you are, including the not so great parts- like my smart alecky and stubborn traits. In lieu of you teaching me to drive a tractor, to change my oil and to shoot a gun properly, you taught me to never give up when times get difficult. One time my horse was acting up and when I tried to get up off, you forced me to get back up and to ride it out, that it would pass if I just stuck it out. Even though at that time I thought you were just being cruel, you taught me the most valuable lesson in life.

I was told once by a friend, "you act the way you do because your dad was too good of a man and he raised you to be just like him." Those were the kindest, cherishing words a 20-something year old could ever hear. Today I am bold, I am respectful, I am a woman of God, I am tough, and I am proud to say you are the reason for this. I pray to be a parent like you are. I have always prayed to be a respectable person like you. I can never thank you enough for preparing me for the journey God has set out for me. I can never tell you how grateful I am to you for being my daddy and my favorite teacher. You will always have a sidekick, with me beside you. I love you, old man.