Dear Dad,

When I was seven years old you taught me how to ride a bike. It took quite a few hours, snack breaks, and band-aids, but I did it. You pushed me and encouraged me until I was zooming down the road all on my own. And as I glanced behind me, on my big girl bike, I saw you standing there with a look of pride set on your face. You are were always right behind me. You were always there. You were always so proud of me. Thank you.

Thank you for never giving up on me. I have made numerous mistakes throughout my 19 years, and I will, without a doubt, make many more. I am nowhere near perfect. Yet, you couldn't care less. When you look at me all you see is potential. You see a girl who has worked so hard to get where she is. A girl who has the highest of dreams and the biggest of goals. A girl who has learned to never let the bad days define her whole life. When you look at me you see a girl who will never give up, because her dad never gives up on her. Thank you.

Thank you for teaching me how to be kind. You pay for someone else's meal every year at Christmas time. Anytime you see a car broken down on the side of the road you stop to make sure they are okay and are getting help. You hold the door open for others. You can hold a five minute conversation with person you've never met before. Being kind isn't a quality that you have, it is a motto that you live by. Thank you for passing this down to me.

Thank you for giving me your sense of humor. Even though other people may not always laugh at my jokes, I can always count on you to.

Thank you for treating Mom the way you do. Because of you I will never settle for a man to treat me with anything other than respect. I will never settle for anything less than I deserve. Because of you Dad, I know how I should be treated. Thank you, so very much.

Thank you Dad, for being my biggest fan. "I am so proud of you." These six words I have heard my entire life. I have grown up on these six words. I can't begin to explain to you how that feels. You are so proud of everything I do, and you make that known to everyone. Thank you Dad. I love you.

When I was seven years old, you taught me how to ride a bike. And as I glanced behind me, on my big girl bike, I saw you standing there with a look of pride set on your face. You are were always right behind me. Today, I am 19 years old. I have a driver's license. I have a car. You taught me how to drive. I don't need that little, pink bike anymore. Everyday as I leave the house I glance behind me. And as I glance behind me, in my big girl car, I see you standing there with that look of pride on your face. You are always right behind me. You are always there. You are always so proud of me. I love you Dad, so much.

Love forever,

Your Little Girl