Dear Dad,

You know that’s who you are. It might not be biological, but you are my dad. You fit the role. You’re the one who taught me how to ride a bike, how to dive in grandma’s pool, how to drive a car, how to change oil. You intimidated my boyfriends and you put the bandaid on my heart when it got broken. You taught me how to love. You have done so many things that my “real dad” couldn’t have ever done. You made the days when I couldn’t stop thinking about him not so bad. You told me it was okay to be upset and to want him to be in my life. You made it easier when he wasn’t.

You have been the biggest inspiration in my life. You loved me like I was your own and I know how hard that must have been. You have no idea how much it means to me when you say “This is my wife and daughter.” I'm honored to be your daughter. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Thank you for everything you have done for me throughout these last fifteen years. I can't even count how many project you helped me do, or how many times you gave me advice on what to do about the mean girls or the stupid boys or how many times you pushed me to be my best at whatever I wanted to do. Thank you for loving me when it was hard. Thank you for not ever making me feel like I wasn't yours, like I was the step-child. Thank you for being there for my big moments in life, like getting my license, getting into college, graduating. Thank you for allowing me to have no doubt in my mind that it will be you who walks me down the aisle one day. Thank you for all of the memories that we've made. All of the family vacations, motorcycle rides, truck trips, watching countless hours of car shows or "How It's Made."

I want to finish this letter by saying how truly blessed I am to have you in my life. You are one of the best things to ever happen to me and I love you more then I could ever put into words. You are the best dad in the whole world.

Love,

Your Daughter