Dear Daddy,

To a teetering little girl, standing just three feet off the ground, you were the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. You were the man I watched admiringly in the bathroom as you shaved your face before work and the man I thought could fix the world. Although the years have turned you a little grayer than you are dark and you're not quite as tall as you used to be (from my height), I've grown to admire you in ways I was too innocent to before.

You were and will always be the first man I uttered those three little words too, in a voice much meeker than it is now. Not only have you been my knight in shining armor — always there to protect me – you’ve also shown me how to defend myself, for times when you can’t be right by my side. There wasn’t and still isn’t a problem you couldn’t solve. Your voice is the guiding light I hear when I’m about to make a decision, no matter how hard I try to silence it. I know the day will come when another man will try to steal me away, but he’s got one big pair of shoes to fill. And I won’t be swept away without your approval.

I know I gave you a run for your money — literally. I owe you many more thank you's and apologies than I think I will ever be able to offer you. You’ve helped me grow and learn in ways both too small and too big to measure. Thank you for kissing my mom in the kitchen when you came home from work and for showing me what it means to be a partner in life. Thank you also for encouraging my education and for trying to understand that I might not be the world’s best math student. Thank you for speaking to be honestly and candidly, I’ve definitely picked up that trait. It’s been a pleasure to be your daughter, but I know being my father isn’t an easy feat.

I think a few apologies are in order. I’m sorry for all the times I thought I knew better than you did. For the record, you were almost always right. I’m sorry for not believing you had my best interest at heart, which you always did. I’m sorry for any gray hairs I might have given you, although I blame most of them on your two sons. Most importantly, I’m sorry for not taking the time to appreciate all you’ve done as often as I should.

Though in stature I’ve grown from the tyke I once was, you’ll always be that little girl’s first love. Your unconditional love is one of a kind — something that could never be replaced. It’s a love that lasts long after you’ve fought off the monsters under my bed. Just as you were wrapped around my little finger, I, too, was wrapped around yours.

Love always,

Your Little Girl