There's something undeniably special about the bond between a father and daughter. One look and he's wrapped around her tiny pinky. Maybe it's the instinct to protect her from anything or anyone (cough cough any boy) that dares to come her way, or maybe it's her sweet little smile and the way she runs and hugs his leg when he walks through the door. Whatever it is a daddy is a daughter's best friend forever.

You always hear about the honey- do list, but all good Dad's know it's the Daddy-do list that matters, and eventually without our realizing it, the Daddy- do list evolves into the Daddy-does-without-list. With no hesitation, Daddy stops whatever he is doing to perform neck surgery on Barbie for the fourth time this week. Barbie goes back on her picnic with Ken, and you go with her, taking for granted the neck surgeon that, irregardless of the hour, is always on call. You won't realize it then, but one day, inevitably, you'll look back and thank-you won't be sufficient enough for all the investments, sacrifices, and love that your dad poured freely into your life.

Realizing that everything I say will fall miserably short of all the credit due and the blessings my dad deserves, I give you my best attempt at a thank-you tribute to my dad (and yours too).

Thank You, Dad, for...

1. Always holding my hand

When I was little and afraid your hand over my mind gave me peace of mind, and I knew that I never had to be afraid. As I got older and your holding my hand was embarrassing, you held my hand from a distance and strengthened me from afar. Despite my objections you never let go, and I never really wanted you to either.

2. Being my very first coach

No matter the sport or how little you knew about it, I knew that you would always be the first parent to volunteer. It's never been a question. No one could make me quite as mad as you. When you yelled at me, it released a fury and aggression I never knew I had, so it served it's purpose. Being the coach's kid made me a better athlete, and I learned that: "The other team put their pants on one leg at a time that morning, just like me." You've never really stopped coaching me.

3. Praying before meals

It was as much a part of supper as passing the salt. You taught me who provided for us and how blessed we were. Everyone was always around the table. You instilled in me the practice of stopping to thank God for His provisions as you blessed "the food to our bodies and our bodies to Your service."

4. Loving my Mama

You showed me how a lady should be treated. I watched you hold open doors and run through the rain without an umbrella. You told Mom how beautiful she was and held her hand in public, which I thought was humiliating at the time. You told Mom you loved her loud enough for us to hear and called just because you were thinking about her. We never doubted the love you two shared, and we never will.

5. Showing me how to serve

Growing up I couldn't wait to be able to work VBS and rock the babies in the nursery. You set the example for me to follow and talked about the importance of placing others before yourself. At all the church pot lucks I was so annoyed at the fact that you insisted our family get in the back of the line and make sure everyone else had something. I was eight, and it wasn't fair that the only desserts left were Chips Ahoy cookies-- all the homemade chocolate pie was long gone, but that action of love benefited me far more than the pie ever could have. I still think about it today.

6. Your work ethic

I have never met anyone that works harder than you. You finish what you start, and you do it to the very best of your ability. Giving up is not an option, and just because you fail doesn't mean that you won't succeed. Your work ethic is undeniable, and I can only hope I can replicate that in even the smallest of ways.

7. Demonstrating the love of the Father

The way that you love me directly reflects the love of my Heavenly Father. He entrusted me to you, and you teach me about His love with every selfless act and sacrifice you make. No matter what I do, you have never turned your back on me. You have taught me that God is indeed a good, good father and that I am loved by Him and you too.

8. Letting me make mistakes

There have been many times that you knew without a doubt that I was making a wrong decision, and as hard as it was to watch, you let me make them. You let me learn from my mistakes and gave me an opportunity to grow, an opportunity that I am very thankful for.

9. Fixing all my problems

From Barbie arms to oil changes and even broken hearts, you have never failed to be my go-to handy man. You've been my Barbie surgeon, my mechanic and a listening ear. However big the problem, I know that I can count on you. If nothing else can fix it, ice cream will.

10. Enduring shop 'til you drop marathons

Without complaining you have accompanied us on hours upon hours of shopping. Most dads look to take the first rain check on that and find something else to occupy their time, but when people ask you about it, you simply respond with, "I just enjoy getting to spend time with my girls."

11. Telling me that I'm beautiful

Not only do you compliment Mom, but you take special care to compliment me too. I don't have to go looking for compliments from other guys. You take care of it and say it with a sincerity that lets me know that you mean it.

12. Teaching me how to drive

I will never understand why you volunteered to get in a car with fifteen year old me, but you did. You showed me patience and a whole lot of grace. You put your own life at risk, no exaggeration-- I was terrible! Even at my worst moments you encouraged me, and turned my radio down every time you rode with me.

13. Showing me that grown-ups can be kids too

Despite all the stress of daily life, you still find time to be a kid. You dance in public, although you probably shouldn't, and you test out your tennis shoes by sprinting in the store. No one is ever too old for cannon balls either or tea parties.

14. Putting the "Dad approval stamp" on my wardrobe choices

I didn't always like what you had to say about my super cute outfit, but it taught me self-respect. "That's a little short," or "That's too tight," were the last things I wanted to hear when I came down the steps, but I am so thankful that I did. Modest is hottest, and self-respect is even hotter.

15. Praying for me daily

Some days I know that it's only by the power of prayer that I make it through the day. There is no feeling more comforting than knowing that you have someone you love dedicated to praying for you. Not only that, you pray for my future husband and children too. Your prayers surround me, and I know that both my Heavenly Father and my earthly father have my back.

16. Being a family man

I know that there is nothing on this earth that you value more than your family. You love people and not possessions or hobbies. Family wins every time, and you honor God through your love for us.

17. Being my first love

You loved me so much it would have been impossible for you not to have been my first love.

18. Being one phone call away

No matter the time, day or circumstance. The extent of the problem or any detail. You are only a phone call away. You are willing to drop whatever it is to come running to my rescue.

19. Setting unrealistically high expectations

Really I feel kinda sorry for the men who pursue my heart. They have an unbelievably tough act to follow, but you have shown me what I deserve. Anything less than that is settling. Thank you for showing me my worth and setting an off the charts standard for which I will judge all men against. Mama is a lucky lady.

20. Being my Dad!

If God had let me choose, I couldn't have found a better one myself!

I'm so thankful that God chose you to be my dad and me to be your daughter. My thank-you will never be close to enough. Even though the Daddy do list has changed from Barbies to check engine lights, you still drop everything with the same enthusiasm and run to my rescue. There is just something special about the love between a father and a daughter.