Dad.

I know it's cliche to post about your Dad on Father's Day, but cliches exist for a reason, right? Because they mean something. So here goes.

Dad,

Thanks for giving me all of the confidence in myself that I've needed to get through everything in my life. Thanks for pushing me to succeed, but still being proud of me when I haven't. Thanks for telling me you love me, that I'm beautiful and that our relationship will never change. Thanks for raising me to believe in Jesus, for never letting me take the easy way out and for instilling deep loyalty and family pride. Thanks for the family nose (not:)), for the family sense of humor and for the family stubbornness. Thanks for letting me go off and have my own adventure and thanks for doing the same thing for our family. Thanks for working so hard for so many years so that we could have every opportunity we wanted. And thanks for working so hard at your relationship with Mom.

We always got along well when I was growing up, but it's been amazing getting to know you as an adult. Thanks for talking to me about things, for letting me get to know you as more than just my Dad and for always being just as honest about the bad things as the good. I wish that I got to see you more, but thanks for not letting the distance affect our relationship.

The only time I was ever afraid to tell you anything was when Taylor and I got engaged because I thought it would somehow make you feel like our relationship would change. And though technically, I guess it has, thanks for not making it feel different. I'll always be your favorite (only) daughter, your baby girl, your Bird, your O'Malley.

I love you so much. Happy Father's Day!