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A father will protect his little girl no matter how old she gets. And even if she is 35 with kids, he will still think that she is his little girl.

You protected me, Dad. You loved me through my temper tantrums and my teenage stubbornness. You worked hard, harder than any man I have ever known, to give me the best in life. You kissed me goodnight, hugged me when I was hurting, told me the honest truth, and showed me what real love was.

If you didn’t like a boy I brought home or if you thought I deserved better than what I was getting, you would tell me. You would be blunt and straight to the point and as much as I didn’t want to believe you…you were always right.

You never shied from the truth. I have never met someone as honest as you, but you always say what you feel knowing that it is the best for me, even if I turned and ran the opposite way first. You always had faith I would end up on the right path.

Whether it be bad friends, boyfriends, grades, or regular life choices…you would always accept that I was making my own decisions, but always tell me what the RIGHT decision should be.

You showed me and you told me what love should be. You told me how a guy should work two jobs if he couldn’t afford to take me out to dinner. And how I should be treated, even if I felt that I should be treated differently. You kissed me goodnight and told me you loved me every day. Always making sure that I never forgot it. And you always made sure that when I grew up, I was searching for someone who would love me as much as you do.

You told me that love should be unconditional, and you showed what true love was when I saw you looking at Mom. You made me acknowledge that one day, no matter how many heartbreaks I would endure, that I would find my prince. And I wouldn’t feel the pain that I have felt so many times, ever again.

You worked hard to take care of our family, you made jokes for me to laugh, you always reminded me in some way that I am loved, you had your faults but always apologized and never expected me to do the impossible, you set high standards knowing I was talented enough to achieve them. And you truly believed in me.

In turn, you showed me what I deserved and what a true man should look like. You showed me that a man who is worthy of love should be compassionate, caring, honest, trustworthy, motivational, funny, hardworking, and so many more traits that would fill up the page.

You, Dad, taught me to know what I deserved and who deserved me. You showed me what love should look like .You made me realize that I am a beautiful, strong woman and you told me to never settle for less than I deserve.

You showed me what love should be.

And because of you, I will search for just that and never give my heart to anyone less than the best.

You saved me from heartbreak and made sure I was always okay when someone had the chance to hurt me. You were always there and always will be. And I am beyond happy I have a Dad who would make sure his daughter always had the best.

So I thank you. Again and again. Every day for the rest of my life. For always protecting me and always making sure I’m getting what I need.

Love,

Pumpkin.