When I grow up (because let’s be real I am 20 going on 13), I want to marry someone who makes me feel capable of achieving anything, who shares in my joy when I succeed, who constantly motivates me to do better, to work harder, and someone who provides my children with comfort, kindness, and love. My expectations are high, and that is because I was given a father who is all of these things and more. My dad was my best friend when I was younger, and to this day he is one of my strongest influences and someone I hope to be like in so many ways when I do eventually grow up.

When I was in preschool, I would only go to school if my dad would drive me. Weekends were my favorite because my mom worked and my dad would watch football with me and take me to the park for hours. To this day, I do not know the difference between a field goal and a first down, which lowkey disappoints my father, but hey, nobody’s perfect.

My dad is the person who taught me everything; how to tie my shoes, the in’s ad out’s of riding a bike and parallel parking, the importance of applying for loans, how to write resumes; I owe it all to him. Little girls with fathers like mine grow up to believe that all boys are nice, funny, caring, and not total scumbags.

I grew up to be my own person, which is something I cannot thank my dad for enough. It literally makes me queasy when I people say things like “My parents raised me to be Republican” “I’m a Democrat because my mom is”, have you never heard of thinking for yourself? My parents have never ever forced their beliefs on me; but they let me learn about world issues and different topics on my own, and that has allowed me to think freely and develop my own thoughts and opinions on every possible theory and idea. My dad and I are very similar in some ways, but different in others and I would rather be able to think for myself than be a bandwagon supporter of whatever my parents believe.

When I was 18, I was diagnosed with depression after five years of privately trying to battle it on my own. Both of my parents were so supportive, but I didn’t expect my dad to be as amazing as he was. Having a teenage daughter is hard enough but having a teenage daughter with a mental illness is something that not everyone can deal with, but my dad was the best. It’s hard to explain the gratitude that I have for him without simply saying that my father is the reason why I have the strength to keep pushing for success despite my own mind telling me that I couldn’t.

The number one trait about my dad, something I aspire everyday to emulate, is how hard he works, at everything. Getting older has helped me realize that I owe everything I am to my dad. His job and success is the reason why I am given the opportunity to attend the college I’ve wanted to go to for years, why I was able to have such an amazing childhood in the most perfect town, and why I am able to enjoy the things that I can. He has instilled this incredible work ethic in me and made me start working as soon as I turned 16. and I was able to pay for my house and my spring break vacation from working a part time job over this past semseter while still getting all A’s and B’s in school. I owe it all to my best friend, my dad.

To say “I love you” is not enough. A “thank you” is not enough. My dad has been more than just a dad to me; he is my best friend, my inspiration, my motivation, and sets the standard impossibly high for any future boyfriend, husband, and nothing could ever take away from that.