I have one of the greatest dads in the entire world and being on the Race has only reinforced that fact. I have seen so many families in these past 5 ½ months who don’t have a father figure or have a bad example of what a father should be. I have been super fortunate to have a dad who is an amazing example of what a father should be and it has translated into my faith as well because having an awesome earthly father makes it that much easier to have a good relationship with the Lord.
My dad has worked hard my entire life to make sure that we had everything we needed and even though he has worked in the evenings for as long as I can remember, I have never felt like I missed out on anything. He made sure that he was there for as many things as he was able and he never missed an opportunity to tell me he was proud of me or to teach me something new. My dad and I are very similar in a lot of ways and so it has been easy for me to look up to him. He gave me his love of music, his love of history, his love for reading, his introversion, his way of telling stories in circles, his ability to believe the best in almost anyone, and his desire to fix everything. Being away from home for almost half a year, I have started to realize just how much I do things the way my dad does them. I shovel dirt the way he taught me, I drink coffee the same way he does, I talk to myself when I don’t understand what I’m doing just like he does, I tell jokes that only I think are funny, and so many other little things that I never noticed until people who don’t know my dad asked me why I do things the way I do them.
In short, my dad has been a huge influence on my life and I’m just glad that he has been there for me my entire life. There are so many advantages that come with having a great father and I am very fortunate to enjoy all of those because I have had a dad who cares about me and wants me to succeed in life. He has always supported me and given me advice when I’ve asked for it and let me learn on my own when I didn’t. He’s let me form my own opinions on things from politics and religion all the way down to things like what condiments to put on my sandwiches without making me feel like I’m dumb just because he’s my dad and I’m the child. He has taught me so many things and I am so grateful for everything he’s done for me even though I don’t always appreciate them in the moment.
Love you dad! Happy Father’s Day!
P.S. I made the font extra big so you could see it…
