Butterfly Kisses

This post is a little late, but it is for one of my best friends, my dad.


Dad, you have been one of the most influential people in my life and I thank you for all that you have done for me: all the hard work, the time, the love, the counsel, the patience, the understanding, the punishments from my dumb decisions, and the memories. I cherish all those memories very close to my heart. You have taught me so much and I am so blessed to have you as my father.


I remember trying to be the first one out of your daughters to get to you when you came home from work at night. I'd throw my little arms around you and plant a kiss on your cheek. I also remember proceeding to grab onto your leg and have you drag me around...(Sorry about your knee problems, sometimes I wonder if that was because of me doing that to you!) I definitely miss receiving and giving you hugs, they are always a comfort to me. You have always been a main source of comfort throughout my life, thank you for that.


I remember you teaching me how to fish and taking me with you when you would go with grandpa or when you'd just take all of us girls. Even if we didn't catch anything we always had a fun time and you wouldn't get mad when we lost your lures. Thank you for teaching me how to not get angry, over anything big or small. You always were an example to me of being kind and patient through everything. I am still working on acquiring those virtues but thanks to you, I have a great example to look up to.


Even though I sometimes complained about doing it, thank you for teaching me how to work hard. Yard work and chores were most of the time looked down upon by me, but I did them and eventually learned to enjoy them! In fact, now that I don't have a yard to work on, I miss doing yard work! Teaching me the concept of hard work through labor helped me apply the concept to every area of my life: education, hobbies, and mental status. Any success I have had in any area of my life I owe to you because you taught me one of the most important abstractions of life: hard work. Thanks for that!


One last thing I will mention is that I am very grateful for your spiritual example in my life. If it weren't for you being strong in the church and setting an example, I'm not so sure that I would have grown to have the testimony that I have today. Thanks for initiating Family Home Evening and family prayer at night and morning scripture study. Since you put the church first in your life you have helped me work on doing the same. Thanks for always being a worthy priesthood holder as well, because of that you were always able to give us blessing when we needed them. You are such a great individual in every way!


Words can't accurately express how I feel and all the gratitude I have for you! Thanks for the memories, lessons and love. I couldn't have asked for a better dad to raise me and grow up with. Thanks for always being there for me and still being here for me even though I'm a state away. I appreciate you so much and I love you more than you know!


Remember that book you gave me called Butterfly Kisses and that note you wrote in the cover? I read that today. Brought some tears to my eyes.


I love you so much Dad, you're the best!