Happy Veterans Day!

The news and facebook feeds are filled with Thanks to the Veterans. I want to thank a very special veteran - my Daddy.

My Dad fought in Vietnam and went over there as a young 17 year old boy. He had my mom waiting for him when he got back, but being over there changed his life forever. Over the years, I have noticed that my Dad has become more patriotic, or maybe it's because I've grown up too. My Dad is the guy that like to fly the flag year round. When something happens overseas, or more recently, here in the states, it hits him hard. I can't imagine what the guy went through. I grew up knowing my Dad was a Vietnam Veteran, but not exactly knowing what that meant.

My Dad has always been the strongest man I know, always providing for our family when times were tough, and us kids never going without. He has a love for my Mom that is indescribable. He loves her more than anything, and she the same. It's amazing, they have been married for almost 40 years, and they still love each other the same way they loved each other in high school.

I grew up being a "Daddy's Girl"... I know that's surprising. I grew up with the kind of love around me that is so very few and far between in homes these days. My Dad was at every dance recital, dance competition, and his favorite - the Dad/Daughter dance in my spring show in high school. That's one of his favorites, and still talks about it 10 years later.

It was my Dad's idea to get my a dog for Christmas. Both my roommates had dogs, and my dad didn't want me to be left out. Daisy is my pride and joy and secretly is Dad's too... Even though he yells at her for barking and yapping - I tell him she's just trying to get his attention.

My Dad and I have a silly inside jokes that only he and I understand, but still giggle at everyday. If I don't talk to him at least once a day, he thinks somethings wrong. We talk every morning around 8:30.

My mom always told me I would marry a man just like my Dad - back in high school days, I thought she was crazy! My dad was protective and sometimes grouchy... I didn't want to marry a man like that!! :) But when I met Jon Maxfield, I knew that he was just like my dad and, ahem, my mom was right. :) Jon provides for me, protects me, and loves me more and more each day - just like my parents relationship. We laugh, giggle and have our inside jokes too. I am so lucky to grow up with the kind of love my parents had to teach me what I wanted in life. I have said I want to be in a relationship like my parents - still so happy after 40 years, and I found it.

My Dad walking me down the isle was a very emotional time for me. Something we have talked about for so long, and it finally came true. It was emotional for my parents too - but they knew they were leaving me in good hands. My dad and Jon's relationship is fantastic - I couldn't ask for anything more.

The kind of love between a father and daughter is beyond description - and that's exactly what Dad and I have. I'm a very lucky girl.

So, Thank you Daddy for everything you have done. Thank you for protecting our country. Thank you for teaching me so much and I appreciate everything you have done for me growing up. Thank you for being one of my best friends.  I will always be a Daddy's Girl.