I miss him.

I have the greatest Daddy in the world.

If you ever got to know him, you would know how absolutely hilarious he was. He is the reason I talk in weird accents, the reason I can laugh, the reason I have always loved jazz music, the reason I have musical talent, the reason I am the way I am, the reason that I am still here, the reason I am in college, the reason I am Majoring in Business, the reason why I still go to church, and he is my Guardian Angel. 

He taught me to not regret and never look back. Though I don't regret anything in my life, I do wish that I could go back and relive these past six years. 

If I could do that I would have spent more time at home and not so much time with my friends, more long late night talks with him and more conversations about the gospel and his mission with him. My dad was THE greatest missionary that Philadelphia ever had.  

Yes, I am bragging about my dad. But it is because he would have never said any of that. He was the most humble man ever.

Being the only girl in the family I naturally became daddy's little princess. I always got to sit by him in church with his arm around me. Frequently falling asleep on him. He never let me forget that I was his little princess. He never let anyone hurt me, and when my feelings got hurt he made sure to cheer me up with some quality time or an ice cream run or riding our bikes down to circle K and getting slushies. 

My most fond childhood memories are with my dad. He had so many nicknames for me, erbear, bear, erhead, bugs butt, princess, and so many more embarrassing ones that should never be mentioned outside the realms of our house. Ever since I was little I would try to wrap my arms completely around him, I underestimated how small of a kid I actually was. So since I couldn't put my arms around him, naturally his name became Big O' Daddy O'. Classy, right? I don't know I have been surviving without him, it is still hard to believe that he is not here. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. He is always on my mind. Always. 

What my dad loved more than his own family are just people in general. He loved everyone he met. He always invited people over for dinner, most the time missionaries, and he could talk for hours. Just getting to know them. He loved people! Now, you all see why I hate being alone and am a social guru. 

Missionaries. My dad LOVED missionaries. My dad was the ward mission leader once, but I feel like that was his calling in life. We always had missionaries over, teaching us lessons, eating dinner with us, or serving us. It was amazing to watch my dad interact with them. It was like he was young again, they brought out the youth in him and he would start talking about his mission. He was so passionate about his mission and the gospel in general. He knew that there was always something new that he could learn. And he always found new stuff to teach me and my brothers. 

My favorite pictures of my dad are from when me and my brothers were younger. You can just see how happy he is to have kids, he really did love us a lot. 

On May 22nd 2010 my father passed away after a four year battle with cancer. 

I have never known anyone stronger than my father. While he was spending his last few days in the hospice, nurses would say they were amazed that he was holding on for so long, they called him Superman, because he was a super hero to me. My father was the most amazing man on this earth, I learned everything that I know from him. I have a passion for the gospel because I got to walk into my dad's office every single morning when I was younger and sit on his lap as he read his scriptures to me. I love people because Dad showed me how to love. I love music because Dad loved music and always supported us in our school musicals or orchestra concerts or piano recitals or voice recitals. My dad had a passion for life and making the best of what he had. There will never be another man on this earth like my dad. 

Families are forever.

The gospel is true, the plan of salvation is real. I am so happy that my parents were sealed in the temple, so one day, I will be able to return to my Heavenly Father and my father that I had here on earth.
I love you dad and I can't wait to be with you again in heaven.