Dear Dad,

It's been awhile, 13 years almost to be exact. I hope Heaven is all you could've wanted. I miss you every day. You have missed a lot in the past 13 years.

I wish you could've been there when I had my first break up, that was a crazy train wreck. You would've told me it wasn't worth crying over and that I deserved better. As I am older now, I know I deserved so much better.

I wish you could've been here when I started middle school and high school. It was a pretty crazy adventure, to say the least, I made tons of awesome friends that I wish you could meet. You'd get a kick out of them. I also lost some friends and could've used you being there to keep me going and keep reminding me it wasn't my fault.

I know you have been watching over me, and people tell me you're there in spirit, but honestly, it isn't the same. It didn't heal me when I had another birthday, or when I had something major happen in school. It didn't heal when I celebrated my 16th, 18th and 21st birthday without you there.

My graduation from high school was the hardest. That is one of the biggest things in life, besides a college graduation and a wedding. Both of which are going to be hard days. One I'll have tears, and the other I'll probably have to redo my makeup about a hundred times before I can hold myself together long enough for pictures.

You left me with a few lessons I will never forget. Never let a man degrade you or make you feel unimportant. Always forgive when needed. Always look for the good in people. Never be afraid to be who you are.

I miss you every day. I know nothing will bring you back. But I wish you could've been there in person.

I love you, Dad.

Forever your little girl.