I want to introduce you to an amazing man. My dad. Today is my dad’s birthday and more than anything else in this world, I want him to know how much I love and respect him. He is an amazing man, father, grandfather, example and friend. I am so lucky to be his daughter.

My dad is an amazing story teller. He has the ability to capture the attention of any audience and keep them lingering on every single word. I remember taking road trips with my family and being so excited to get my turn in the front seat so that I could have dad tell me a story. To this day, I beg him to tell the tales of “when he was little.”

My dad has the most amazing sense of humor. No matter the situation, he can come up with the perfect joke. I know that we roll our eyes when we hear the basketball joke but, Dad, I love it. Please tell it to me again.

My dad has an ability to forgive above any other person I have ever known. He has taught me that such an important part of life is to learn to live, forgive and move on. This lesson comes in valuable every day in my life.

My dad has spent his entire life making his children’s lives enjoyable and full of fun. Ever since I can remember, my dad would take us on Saturday adventures. I know that this was to give my mom a break but, I will forever remember it as him wanting to spend time with us.

My dad is a genius at photography. He has worked on more movies than I can even count. I remember visiting him on the sets of “The Windwalker” when I was tiny and I felt so important. When Kyra was little we accidentally ran into a set that was filming at the mall. Shocked that I had seen my dad, we started walking toward him, excitedly. I was stopped by security and told that I had to go away. A member of his crew recognized me and told the guard that I was “George’s daughter.” Quickly, one of the higher ups got me a chair and let me watch the shoot. Then, we got to eat lunch with the crew as my dad showed me and Kyra off. It is one of my favorite memories.

My dad has taught me to be charitable. There were times that money was short (although we as children never knew it) and I am sure that my parents worried about things such as Christmas, birthdays etc. However, we never went one Christmas without doing a service for another family. We donated our Christmas money from my grandparents to do something for a family that had less than we did. Dad, in this day and age, that lesson was invaluable.

My dad is the best grandfather that ever has been. He takes time to talk to each of my children and tell them how special they are. He now takes them on adventures and pulls candy out of their ears. They think that their grandfather is absolutely magical. When grandpa leaves the house, Toad stands by the front window and cries. That only comes from pure adoration.

More than anything else in this world, I love to hear my dad say, “I am proud of you.” Those are the sweetest words that I could ever hear. I heard them on my wedding day. They came out when I bought my first car. I cried when he kissed my head and expressed his love the day Kyra was born. I hear them on days when I think that I can’t go any further.

Happy Birthday Dad. I love you more than life. I am so proud to be able to say that I am your daughter. I am who I am because of you!