Dear Dad,

Thank you for everything you do for me. Thank you for staying up till 2 am waiting to make sure I get home okay. Thank you for taking me out to lunch all the time. Thank you for always cooking for me. Thank you for coming to watch every single one of my games. Thank you for supporting me in everything I try. Thank you for coaching me in every sport that I have ever played. Thank you for providing our family with nice things. Thank you for always looking out for us. Thank you for always protecting us. Thank you for always putting everyone’s needs before your own.

Now that I am in college and don’t really live at home anymore, I am realizing the things that I have taken for granted in life. You and mom being at the top of that list. You guys have always had my back and never wanted anything but the best for me. I was always so mad when you didn’t want me to go somewhere or didn’t like someone that I liked. But I realize now that you guys knew what you were talking about. You guys weren’t doing that for you, that was all for me. I could go on and on but this letter is to you, this time, dad. This is going to be one day later than Father’s Day but I feel like people need to know just how great you really are.

Thank you for always laughing with me. We can laugh about almost anything, from the actual funny things to the absolutely ridiculous things. We can sit there and watch "Cupcake Wars" for hours and take bets on who will win and laugh our heads off when one of us actually bet right. Or when we share our embarrassing stories from our weeks where we all just sit and laugh because it’s actually so ridiculous, and we are secretly wishing we would have been there to laugh at each other.

Thank you for being willing to do girly things with me. You sit through countless chick flicks with mom and me, and I know that’s just because you want to be able to spend time with us. You put up with going shopping with us (even though I know you would rather be at home playing Xbox) but you come with us anyway because you love us. You listen to me rant about my girl drama and boy problems and give me advice and actually listen. You don’t have to do that, but you do anyways. Thank you for picking up feminine products at the store for me LOL. I know that has got to be awkward and embarrassing but you do it anyways because you love me.

Most of all though thank you for being my dad. From putting up with the late hours to just laughing and hanging out with me, I am so thankful to always know that you are there for me no matter what. Thank you, dad. Thank you for raising me to be a daughter of Christ first and foremost. Thank you for sharing your humor with me and love of sports with me. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being my dad.

I love you, Dad!