Da-da, pops, dad. The man who poured his soul into my life the second I took my first breath. He taught me how to tie my shoes, cast a line, and get over heartbreak. He is my rock, the one person in my life that keeps me sane. He is someone who I aspire to be one day. Here are three things my father has told me which changed my entire view on life.

1. Love is a lot like investing in a stock; investing means vulnerability and you can either gain or lose, but you must invest before knowing the outcome.

After breaking up with my first love before going to college, I was emotionless. The last thing I wanted to think about was finding another relationship to fill my emptiness. I looked at my father with tears racing down my face and told him that ''love fu***** sucks." I explained to him that love is so good when you have it but it's never going to end as well as you pictured it in your head. He sat me down and told me that falling in love is a risk in itself, but you will never find out the outcome if you don't put yourself out there. Him telling me this made everything come back into color. Love is this mysterious feeling, but you can only have it if you jump into the nothingness.

2. This is your life. Don't look back and regret anything.

Life is too short. I quickly learned this after my dad's mother passed away. All those tea parties and luau memories quickly vanished as they were lowered into the ground. I wish I spent more time with her. My dad told me something really meaningful; you don't know when your life will be taken, but looking back and knowing you missed out will be the most gruesome emotion you will ever have on your time here, on Earth. That advice is what I live by. Now, I participate in talent shows and volunteer work, I join anything I can on campus, and I speak my mind always because there is no time to waste.

3. Boys will come and go, but daddy will always be here for you.

Let's just say boys will always give me some sort of minor PTSD just from the thought of them. The ups and the downs were not emotions I was comfortable experiencing yet. Still to this day, I always manage to get screwed over by boys, but the one guy who has never left my side is my father. The midnight calls would always be answered and filled with the most meaningful advice that I could've received. Whether it be in person, FaceTime, or even just a simple text, my dad will never stop loving and caring for me.

Dad, if you are reading this, know that my love for you is so immensely strong that thinking about ever losing you brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for teaching me how to play this game called life. If it wasn't for you, your words, and your unconditional love, I wouldn't be who I am today. Thank you for being you.