Dear Dad

Dear Dad aka my superhero,

I am now 18 years old, a semi-adult

On the road to graduation and then college

But, according to you, I am still your baby girl.

And with that, I will tell you

One of my biggest fears is disappointing you.

For the past 18 years of my life,

You have been teaching me the importance of hard work,

Allowing me to choose who I want to be

And showing me it’s okay to be a bit of dork.

You are there for both my best and my worst

You encourage me to do the best I can, everyday.

For each story you tell me about your past

And each challenge you have faced,

You remain a constant role model in my life.

Because of this, I have busted my butt off

To make something of myself

And to make you proud

But as the days go by, the more things become difficult,

The more stressed I get.

I am afraid of losing the “best of me”

The one you showed me I can be.

The last thing I want to happen

Is for you to no longer see me

As the daughter you raised with patience and virtue

These fears of failure grab at my gut,

Wrenching and twisting it each time before a test or an essay,

But then it changes.

Each and everyday, you take my hand

And you look me in the eyes, saying

“You got this”

And then, I believe again.

Thank you for your validation and your unconditional love.

Sincerely, your growing girl