**Happy Gilmore's**: My Dad

Most of us can say that our Dad's gave us life...well how many of us can say that their dad gave them their lives back?? I am one of those such people who was blessed with that kind of dad.

For those that know my dad, they love him and respect him. For those that don't are missing out on an amazing person!

My dad entered my life when I was 9 years old. I first laid eyes on him when he picked up my mom at my Grandma's house. He stood at the door (mullet intact) with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for her...this was their first date after responding to adds in the paper. I leaned over to my

Grandma (as we pretended to be making spaghetti) and told her

"He is going to marry my mom!"

Low and behold, I was right. Several years later he and my mother got married. But still, it was not this day that gave my family "its" life back...I don't think I could pin it down to one particular day. It was a progression of many days and time.

It was the times my dad took the time to listen to us after a hard day of school or help us through difficult homework, the way he showed my little brother and I that he loved our mom (which is still obvious to this day), the way he showed us his silly side when playing games, the way he made up ridiculous songs in the morning to wake us up for school, but lastly, it was the way he always made it clear he loved us and supported us. He was never afraid to tell us how he felt, good or bad, and always made sure to let us know he was behind us.

I was not the easiest child in my teenage years and, as many children do,

I put forth many obstacles in the way for my parents

,but even at those times I knew how much my dad loved me.

I see him hurt when we hurt, feel happy when we are happy, and proud when we achieve our goals. I see the unconditional love he has for his grandchildren and the love he has for not only my brother, sister, and myself, but for my mom.

We all know that saying: "The best gift a father can give his children is to love their mother." My dad has lived up to every part of that saying. He is one of the best men I know and I am so grateful to call him my dad. He was a gift to our family and I hope he knows that there wasn't a better gift out there, then and now.

To my dad...while you weren't there the day I was born, there for my first steps, my first day of school, or my first word; you were there when I got my first boyfriend, the first time my heart was

broken, there to reassure me college wasn't that scary, there to walk me down the aisle, and to be there when I brought my first child into this world. You were there cheering me on when I graduated from school, and you are there everyday when I need you. You have been in my life for the most important pieces of it and they wouldn't be complete without you in them. I love you more than you will ever know and I am so glad you read the paper that day and picked my mom!! You changed our lives that day and gave us the life we have today. You are the best dad in the world and I am so glad to call you mine!! I love you, DAD!