When I was growing up, people asked me where my dad was, and I always told them he wasn't in my life. They would apologize and for a minute try to empathize what it was like to grow up without a dad, but in reality, I didn't even know what that was like.

At a young age I learned that a biological father doesn't make a dad. Being a dad is all about showing up and caring for your children, and even though my biological father didn't give that to me, you did.

I never worried about who would walk my down the aisle at my wedding, or who would come to my "Daddy Days" for my Girl Scout troop because I always had you. You've been there for me through everything, and for that I'm forever grateful.

Thank you for always being ready with the bandaids whenever I rode my bike, and reminding me not to swing to high on the swing set you put up for me. Thanks for watching hours of "That's So Raven" with me and never complaining about how many times we watched the reruns.

Thank you for protecting me and always making me food whenever I'm hungry. Most of all, thank you for never making me feel anything less than your daughter. Just because you're not my biological father does not make you less of a dad. If you ask me, you're the greatest one a girl could ask for.

I know that when the day comes for me to walk down the aisle, you're the perfect man for the job. I've been your little girl since day one, and that will never change.