I've heard many times that any man can father a child, but it takes a special kind of man to be a dad. As I've witnessed countless "fathers" over the years, I am so very blessed to call my father my daddy. So this is to you, dad.

I honestly don't know how you've stuck with me so long. I like to joke and say it's because you're stuck with me, but the raw truth is you actually aren't stuck and never have been. You could have walked away at any time, but you stayed. You could have deemed me unlovable after the countless times I've rebelled and smeared your trust through the mud, but you loved me anyway. The truth is, that's the man that you are. You love.

Over the years I've learned that with a heart that loves freely is also a heart that is pained easily. When most people see a genuine love they take advantage of the freedom in which you give it. Such has been the case with you. Yet despite the scars and reasons you could give for letting no soul back in, you merely have opened those doors even wider because that is the man that you are. You love.

I just want to point out to you that you've not only impacted and changed my life for the greater, you've changed and touched countless others who silently admire that courageous, lion heart. You've fathered friends that didn't have an example of their own, you've taught wisdom and skills freely to others, and you've loved, and loved, and loved. That's simply the man that you are. You love.

On your birthday, it seems to only make sense to honor the birth of a man worth taking note of, but too humble to toot his own horn.

So Happy Birthday Daddy.

I love you.