I didn’t get along with my dad very well as a tween or teen. I think there is plenty of blame to go around on both sides. My rudeness, ingratitude, and eye rolls certainly did not encourage his attempts to ask about my school day, yet he always did. I’ve apologized before and certainly apologize again now that I have two tween daughters of my own.

All I want to say to him now is – thank you. Dads play an important role in our lives, whether it is our own dad or someone else’s. The media often portray dads as lovable buffoons but that isn’t usually accurate. Dads are more than a sideline player in the lives of their family. So I wanted to write a thank you letter to the dads out there that play such an important role in our lives.

To My Little League Coach

I was the only the girl on my little team and, even at the age of 8, I knew there were coaches in the league who didn’t want me to play. I was determined to be like my big brother so, despite my mother’s apprehensions, I played. You didn’t treat me any different from the boys. I did everything the boys did and, when I did it well, you acknowledged it just like you did the boys. You taught me how to chatter up the batter and protect the plate but, even more importantly, when to keep my mouth shut – like when my dad was the umpire and he called me out on a strike.

Thank you.

To My Friend’s Dad

I was spending the night at my friend’s house and woke up in the middle of the night, homesick. I wandered out into the kitchen to find you already there eating Cheerios. I never thought too much about why you would be up so early in the morning since my own dad got up that early to milk cows. Turns out so did you. I cried a little and told you what was wrong. You got me a bowl of Cheerios and we talked. I don’t remember what we talked about but whatever you said I knew I was going to be okay. I went back to bed and slept until morning. You made me feel safe and at home.

Thank you.

To My Music Teacher

I heard Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables for the first time in your class. I listened to musicals I’d never heard before and I learned to love them. You sacrificed a lot of time away from your family to put on the musical every year. I now understand how hard that can be.

Thank you.

To Our Friend that Saved Me When My Husband was Out of Town

My husband had been out of town for a few days when my van decided to die at the library. My mother-in-law picked me up, but you went to see what was wrong with the van. You took out the battery, got it tested, bought a new one, and installed it for me.

Thank you.

To Our Friends and Family

We have wonderful friends. We’ve had a hard year with injuries, moving, and building and we couldn’t have done it without family and friends. My husband broke his ankle on the first day of the week we were supposed to have our new house painted inside and out. Construction couldn’t move forward unless the painting was done. You came, lots of you came, and painted our house. Construction didn’t get delayed at all because you sacrificed time from your schedules and your families to help us out.

Thank you.

To My Father-In-Law

You raised an honest, hardworking son that I am happy and proud to call my husband. You are kind and genuinely care about other people. You provide wise counsel when we need it and are always willing to help out when things are falling apart.

Thank you.

To My Dad

I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I wasn’t always as nice or as grateful as I should have been. I’ve grown up and my perspective has changed. Thank you for working hard all your life. For waking up at 4 AM to milk cows every day, for coming in at 9 PM at night after milking them again, and spending your day working outside, thank you. Thank you for saddling my horse all summer long and teaching me to do it myself when I was tall enough. Thank you for playing baseball, basketball, and volleyball with me. Thank you for coming to watch me play. I’m not sure you ever missed a game. You yelled at the refs louder than anyone. Maybe they DID need someone to tell them they were wrong.

You are a good, funny, faithful man and I’m blessed to have you. I didn’t always appreciate your teasing but I understand now that that’s how you showed me that you loved me. I love the way you play with my kids. Although you better watch out because all that teasing is catching up to you, they know your weak spots.

Thank you.

To My Husband

Whatever this crazy life brings, we take it on together. I am so grateful for you. You are my shoulder to cry on and the one that makes me laugh. Thank you for the example you set for our children. Thank you for inspiring me to be a better person. Thank you for tolerating all the singing, the Star Trek, and my inability to quote a cliché correctly.

Thank you.

To All Dads

Father is the noblest title a man can be given. – Robert L. Blackman

Thank you for all you do.