Captain Eric Patten. If you don’t know that name now, you better know it by the end of this post. You may know him as a protector of freedom in our nation’s military, or even as the world’s biggest Facebook updater if you’re lucky enough to be his FB friend, but I know him more as my Dad. I’m incredibly lucky to call this man my father, and the world has been even luckier having to share him with me.

I’m a Daddy’s Girl and proud. If you ask anyone who I’m closest with, their answer, nine times out of ten, will be my Dad. While living in New York, I call him almost twice a day and sometimes more to update him on everything in my life, ranging from what I ate for breakfast to landing my latest internship. He’s like a best friend to me, always knowing what to say and and always knowing how to cheer me up when I am down.  I owe everything to him, where I am now and what I will continue to do in the future.

As like most daughters, I share a special bond with my father (and his credit card).You could say my Dad and I are close, but that would be a humongous understatement – we’re thicker than thieves. You could say he spoils me, but that too would be an understatement – he pampers me with his love each and every single day. He’s been with me through the worst of times and through the best of times, always having my back when the going gets rough.

Anybody can be a father, but it takes a true man to be a Dad. He’s chosen to take an active role in my life, supporting me in each mountain I choose to climb. I can talk to him about everything and ask him any question, knowing that he’ll have the perfect solution to the most complex of problems because “he’s cool like that”. He’s suffered more than enough drama a guy should have to deal with in a lifetime, and has to live in a house with three crazy women; quite frankly, I don’t know how he’s done it.

In addition to being a great Dad, he’s served our country for over twenty-five years, a feat only a select few can own up to. He’s made my family and I proud in so many ways, words cannot even describe it. I could write out the list of accomplishments throughout his career, but even those could not attest to his character and essence as a great man.

I am my father’s daughter through and through. Impeccable looks (ha!), type-A personalities, and unique mannerisms are just some of the things we share. We take the same sides on arguments, have a love for athletics and I would like to think that I share his passion for all things in life. He’s smart, selfless and loving; always striving to give those around him the best. I can only hope to be half as great as he is.

My Dad has been my coach, both on the soccer field and in the game of life, teaching me more than my fair share of life lessons. He’s been my rock when I need something stable to hold on to, my lighthouse when I’m sailing into the dark, and a big teddy bear when I need some loving. He pushes me when I’m being lazy and holds me back when I’m being reckless. He inspires me on a daily basis – I cannot ask for more. He’s my father by blood, but the coolest Dad ever by choice – and there’s only one of those in the world.

Dad, thank you for everything you have done and everything you continue to do. Have a Happy Father’s Day, I love you.

 And to all the Dad’s out there, I hope you have a fantastic day as well!

Quote of the Day: My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.

– Clarence Budington Kelland