thank you, dad.

Thank you for teaching me how to catch and throw a ball.

Thank you for introducing me to the Oak Ridge Boys and Red Sovine and John Mellencamp.

Thank you for introducing me to John Hughes and the Brat Pack.

Thank you for taking me to get my first tattoo—at the age of 13(!).

Thank you for buying my prom dress.

Thank you for passing on your love for spaghetti and caesar salad.

Thank you for rescuing me from middle school when my classmates were making fun of my unfortunate new haircut—a mullet.

Thank you for giving me tips for how to be a better/safer driver (like not to trust people's turn signals until they're actually turning).

Thank you for teaching me how to blow a bubble with gum.

Thank you for trying to teach me how to wink.

Thank you for watching Big Brother and eating watermelon with me that summer.

Thank you for watching Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps with me. (And for agreeing that Are You Afraid of the Dark? was the better show.)

Thank you for passing on your love of reading.

Thank you for calling me "Punky Brewster."

Thank you for burping me when I was a baby and knowing it wasn't too hard.

Thank you for getting WeChat so we can talk and see each other.

Thank you for teaching me about "crabs in the bucket."

Thank you for teaching me to never give up.

Thank you for being my hero.

Thank you for loving me and always doing your best.

Thank you for being the kind of dad that makes it hard to say goodbye.

I can't even tell you how much I love you. 

Happy Father's Day! xoxo

(Photo: Heather Wilkinson, 2006)