I think the infatuation we have with believing our fathers are invincible starts in elementary school. We get into the occasional, "Oh yeah? Well, I bet my dad could beat up your dad!" arguments with our classmates. Did I actually believe that or was I just trying to flex?? Either way, your dad becomes your biggest hero and you spend so much time building up this wildly unfactual resume to your peers and other adults so they know just how awesome he really is.

I swear, my favorite shirt in elementary school was a white shirt that had blue and pink letters on it that said, "I <3 dad." I can't prove it, but I think one of my family members threw it away because they were tired of me wearing it to school four times a week. It was honestly probably my mother because she was jealous but as I said, I can't prove it.

But really, as an adult, I look back on my life and think about the opportunities I had and the things I was given because of how hard working my father is.

There was never a time that we went without because he did everything he could to make sure we were well taken care of. He bought me my first bike, my first car (and second, whoops), and sends me money while I'm away at school because I've hit a negative balance for the third time this month (again I say, whoops).

Aside from monetary support, he is like my very own personal life support machine.

He taught me some of the hardest lessons about what it's like to be a leader and what happens when you fail. He taught me how to pick myself up when I don't even feel like moving. He taught me how to be strong in the face of adversity because that's how you become a strong, independent woman. He taught me to love Jesus above all else and always stay on the path of Christianity. He taught me that working hard is the only way to get what you want. Most importantly, he taught me what it was like to be loved and constantly showed me how a woman should be treated. Some of these lessons weren't from sitting at the kitchen table and getting lectured at - though, that did happen - they were simply from observing his lifestyle and attitude towards others.

Anna Morgan

Maybe your dad takes one too many selfies with you, buys you a hideous camouflage hoodie from Cabella's because he thought it looked "cool," and maybe he squeezes you when he hugs you and gets his slobbery kisses all over your freshly done makeup. But, those are the moments you're going to cherish forever and miss when they're gone, so enjoy them while they last.

So, dad, thank you. I know I don't tell you enough. Thank you for your love, your service, your sacrifices, and guidance. Thank you times a billion.

Love you to Iraq & back.