Hannah and Cole: June 2010

Dad,

I sit at look back to how far I can remember, and you were always next to me. Picking me up from preschool in the big loader, pulling my first tooth for me, my first broken arm, my high school graduation, my college graduation, my wedding, and the birth of your first grandchild. You were so proud, the look on your face was pure excitement and joy.

Each and everyday you were helping me grow up, and making me be the best I could be. Teaching me to be resourceful and independent, and self reliant. I can fix almost anything because of you. I loved our time together, whether it be blowing the snow off the driveway, going to work with you, or just hanging out on the couch eating peanuts with you and lovey dog. Gosh you loved that dog, you even put a picture of the dog in your wallet where my picture went just to get a reaction out of me (yes I snooped in your wallet and counted your money every night). Always a jokester. I just loved being with you. I loved how excited you would get when you would introduce me to people, and I would tell them how I got my beautiful brown eyes from my daddy. I loved how you would sing to us on the way to school “momma’s don’t let your babies grow up to be ski instructors” as we listened to Willie Nelson. The good old days, I could go on forever. I will make sure that my children don’t grow up to be ski instructors.

Your love was forever strong, and your cuddles forever tight. Everyday since I was born, your love was always in sight. I will always be your baby girl, your princess, your special one, and you will always be my Daddy, my knight in shining armor, and my protector from all things bad. I know I will always be the luckiest, to have had the best Dad any girl could have had.

My Daddy I love you with all my heart, much more than I ever said. You are my world, my everything. Each and Every day. You will truly be missed. May you know that we will all be ok, and that we will be together again someday. I Love You!!!!