There were times he yelled at me, there were times he was disappointed in me, there were times he grounded me. I’m not perfect. No one is but never once did I feel unloved, I never felt not good enough. I might have learned the hard way a couple of times but I learned the right way. I have you to thank for that, Dad.
My Dad taught me to not settle for less than I deserve: He knew my worth before I did. He knew when I deserved a better friend or a better boyfriend and he made sure I knew that. I might not have agreed with him when he first mentioned it to me but all it took was some time.
My dad taught me respect (both giving it and receiving it): Respect comes in many forms. Don’t only respect the people you care about but respect the people who come into your life on a daily basis. Everyone deserves your respect and by giving your respect, you will receive it in return.
My dad taught me that independence comes with responsibilities
My dad taught me to work hard: Not only did my dad tell me that working hard will get me exactly where I want to be but he showed me. I will always have the image of him coming home late from work and spending extra hours in his office just to support his (beautiful) family. He not only showed me to work hard for the people I care about but he showed me that whatever I want, as long as I set my mind to it and give it my all, day in and day out, I will achieve it.
My dad taught me how any gentleman who may come into my life should treat me: With the utmost respect.
My dad taught me to follow my dreams (as long as they aren’t too far away from him): I don’t usually see my dad upset so when I do it breaks my heart. Freshman year when he dropped me off at West Virginia University (7 hours from home), I could tell he was heartbroken. Junior year when I studied abroad in Barcelona, I could tell he was heartbroken. Regardless of the heartbreak he may feel about letting us go, he pushes my siblings and I to do what we love and be who we want to be. He puts his own feelings aside for the sake of our dreams and pushes us to achieve them.
My dad taught me how to treat a family of my own someday just simply through his example
My dad taught me how to be passionate about something: CARS. He loves them (maybe even more than he loves me). He showed me how to take something so simple and make it something that I love, to make it my own. He also taught me that just because I don’t know what my passion is right now does not mean I wont find it, it takes time. My dad taught me to believe in myself: Anything that we’ve ever been part of, sports, singing lessons, he wouldn’t let us quit just because of a bad game or a rough day. We stuck it out because we made a commitment
My dad transformed me into the person I am today and that person is someone I couldn’t be more proud to be. I know that even if he doesn’t agree with me, he still loves me. That is something every daughter needs to know. Never forget how fortunate you are for that man in your life because he will teach you things you may not otherwise learn. Laugh at his corny jokes, call him while at school every chance you get, hug him every time you see him and never ever stop telling him how thankful you are for the role model he has been for the past 21 years because no matter how many years pass, you will always be his little girl.