This past weekend was Father's Day, so I'm sure you all saw the slew of posts about why everyone's dad is the best. Yes, I'm adding to that slew, but hear me out. My father is the best father in the world. I don't mean comparatively to every other father out there. He's the best father for me, but not for reasons you may imagine.

Let me start off by getting straight to the point. My daddy is no longer with us. He passed away due to a car accident when I was seven years old. It has been almost 15 years and every day without him is just as hard as the last. Losing a loved one is never easy, and after time, it doesn't get any easier. You just learn how to live with the cards dealt to you. Days like Father's Day are especially hard, though, for obvious reasons. Everybody is celebrating with their dads, while I'm left with only memories. In reality, though, this is a blessing in disguise.

I've always considered myself a "daddy's girl." I'm truly blessed to have had a wonderful relationship with my father that I can reflect back on, even if it was cut entirely too short. Thinking about those that have never had a father figure in their life truly saddens me. It makes me even more thankful for the amount of time I was able to spend with him. I cherish moments like our nightly walks around the neighborhood, having tea parties with him, and blowing kisses his way through our living room window as he left for work in the mornings. I remember going camping in the fall to mushroom hunt with him, my brother, and our close family friends; I frequently think back to my first vacation (and his last) down to St. Louis for Father's day 15 years ago. I'm grateful that, when he passed, I was at least old enough to even remember special memories like these with him.

Although I'm thankful for the time I was able to spend with him in this life, it's also a blessing that I have someone up in Heaven looking out for me. When thinking about special moments in my life, I used to always feel a bit sad experiencing them, because my daddy wouldn't be there with me. He's missed my countless dance recitals and my senior night for tennis in high school. He won't be there when I receive my bachelors degree or to walk me down the aisle on my wedding day. It took me awhile to come to the realization that he actually was there and will continue to be. He has the best seat in the house! All of these wonderful things are happening in my life, and I know he's looking down, smiling at me and the woman I've become. It's comforting, knowing that even though he's not physically here, he's still watching over me and experiencing everything that I am, just with a different perspective.

My father set a wonderful example for me and my future before he passed away. He was a great husband, father, and just generally a great man. He had such a strong faith for God, which I admire. His dedication to his faith, family, friends (and the St. Louis Cardinals) is the kind of dedication I strive to achieve for myself. The way he loved my mom is what I pray for from my future husband. Every story I hear about him is nothing but uplifting. I am so thankful that I was able to know him for seven short years. It truly is a privilege to be able to call him my father.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy. I love and miss you more each day.