Happy Birthday, Daddy.

This is my Daddy. (If you have a problem with the fact that I'm 26 and still call him Daddy, shove it.)

He turns 68 today.

You read that right. 68.

This man has been my rock for my entire life.  I've been a Daddy's Girl literally from the day I was born.  As he's fond of telling just about anyone, I popped out, looked around curiously, and locked onto his face.

And stared.

He's always been the one I wanted when I hurt.

The one who's done anything he can for me.

Ran out for chocolate ice cream when I got my 17 year old heart broken.

Drove 5 hours to pick me up for spring break when my ride broke down and I didn't want to wait two more days.  Then turned around and drove us both home half an hour after he got there.

Held me in the waiting room at the vet's while our Taffy was getting put to sleep, both of us sobbing hysterically.

Drove an hour and a half every Sunday for a semester to meet me when my best friend decided he didn't want me in his life and nobody at school could understand how much that hurt. Then drove home after a short visit.

Cried with me the day I moved out.

He got me started in photography, letting me first start playing with his camera at age 8(ish).

Never missed a softball game, a soccer game, a choir concert, or a marching band performance.

Except one soccer game while he was in the hospital.

But he came to the one the day he got released.

Quick to tell me how proud he is, how much he loves me.

Equally quick to tell me when I'm screwing up so I can do better.

He taught me how to ride my bike, hold a puppy, take a photograph, throw a ball, catch a ball, climb a tree.

Embraced my best friends like daughters and sons.

Calls my best friend (more on her in a post soon) his other daughter.

Grins when she calls him Daddie #2.

Teaches 8th graders who are really just hellions masked in 14 year old human bodies.

Is a favorite teacher, but has a hard time believing people like him.

When I run into people I went to school with, most of the time the first question is "How's your dad?"

In short, I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

I love you, dearest Daddy.

Happy Birthday.