Thanks, Dad.

Thanks for taking care of me. Thanks for tying my shoelaces, helping with math homework, and standing on more sidelines than I could ever count.

Thanks for your guidance and all of the times you steered my shoulders.

Thanks for trusting in me. Thanks for caring about whether I made the right choices, but also for standing aside to let me make some wrong ones.

Thanks for believing in me and in my potential.

Thanks for being proud of me.

Thanks for setting high expectations for me and for teaching me to set high expectations for myself.

Thanks for reminding me that a little respect goes a very long way and a good work ethic will always trump talent.

Thanks for mustering up the strength and patience for road trips and Disneyworld.

Thanks for the carpools.

Thanks for enforcing curfews and requiring good manners.

Thanks for trying your best. Your best was pretty great.

Thanks for sending me off to college and off to marriage.

Thanks for showing me what it means to be a good man, so I knew what to look for in a husband and know what to help build in a son.

Thanks for showing me the importance and durability of family.

Thanks for helping create traditions that I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.

Thanks for loving my mom.

Thanks for loving my kids in the same way you love me.

And for all of the times I should have thanked you but didn’t, thanks for understanding.

I was always grateful. I always will be.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I love you.