Dear Dad,

Wish I could be with you this Father's Day, but I'm glad I at least got to spend a little bit of time with you during Spring Term.

Well, you already know what I got you cuz I told you yesterday. Here's a picture of your Stanley Cup champs shirt, which will hopefully arrive sometime soon:

(And just FYI, I got one for myself, too.)

So there are a few things I want to say thank you for. I guess there are more than a few, but I'll only include a few here. (Guess you'll have to wait a whole year for the other ones!)

Today in Relief Society, we had a lesson about fathers. (Seems fitting.) The teacher handed out little sticky notes for us to write down some things we thought about our dads while we watched a short video about dads. This is what mine looked like:

 (That's you as a little superhero on the right.)

Rock Valley College graduation, May 17, 2013

1. You are the most hardworking person I know. You are not only a valuable asset to Motorola, but to every organization in your life, from church life to family life.

2. You've supported me in all my efforts, and you've supported me even when I wasn't there to support myself.

3. You're always very generous and let me have the last piece(s) of chocolate that you've "hidden" in your desk. Thanks!

Ice Hogs game, Nov. 30, 2013

4. I shared this one in Relief Society today. I think you're strong. You were living a different lifestyle before you joined the Church, and you gave up things that many people wouldn't have so you could live the Word of Wisdom.

5. You're selfless. Thanks for putting up those extra shelves in my room even though you were tired and ready to leave for Utah.

White Sox game, June 23, 2012

6. You're loyal. Honestly, I'm pretty sure I was thinking specifically of sports when I wrote that one. Thanks for raising me to be an Ice Hogs and Blackhawks fan and going to White Sox games with me!

7. You're faithful. To your family, to the Church, and to your friends.

8. You're helpful. THIS is actually the one I wrote down when I was thinking about the shelves you hung in my room. Cuz I don't know what wall anchors are, and I would've messed it up if I'd tried to do it myself.

9. You're grateful, and it reminds me to be grateful, too.

White Sox game, June 28, 2013

10. You're funny. You know, when you're quoting the Three Stooges and stuff.

11. You're loving. I don't think there's ever been any question in my mind about whether or not you love me. I can just tell you do.

12. You're clever. Like when you're writing out clues for our Easter basket hunts. That's a tradition I want to continue when I have kids of my own.

13. You're smart. I mean, you must be, cuz you married Mom and raised some pretty awesome kids.

Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, June 26/27, 2014

I'm so glad you're my dad, and I'm so thankful I have you. Today, I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. June 25th, 2014 was the scariest night of my life (even scarier than all the Motel 6's I've stayed in combined). Because I was worried I was going to lose you, and I was worried things would never be the same again.

But I'm grateful that my worries did not become reality. I'm glad we have the priesthood in our lives and that you, yourself, hold and use the priesthood. If the stroke had to happen, I'm glad it happened when and where it did, where we could get top-of-the-line professional help and a priesthood blessing. I still thank Heavenly Father every morning and night for that miracle, and I pray for His continued protection over you.

So... thanks for all you do! I love you!

When All the World's Engaged but You

As a college student, I'm going through this thing where pretty much everyone and their dogs are getting married or are well on their way to it. Seriously, I feel like every single day brings another engagement announcement to my Facebook feed.

And I'm happy for them!

But.... let's face it. It's a little weird when one of your first roommates, and people from high school, and girls you went to girls' camp with are posting totally adorable pictures of their significant others and spouses-to-be and wedding rings. So sometimes you just gotta....