This Special Day

 | 08.17 |

The day this earth was blessed with a sensational man…

A man who happens to be my daddy, and I can’t even begin to express just how blessed I am for this reason. I have been a family girl since birth — from vacations, to sporting events to school functions, you name it. My family was always in attendance and I felt complete knowing my parents devoted themselves completely to mine and my sister’s desires as young girls and now, as adults. I find that my family is my backbone, my comfort and the driving forces behind every life decision I make. But I’d be lying if I said one man’s influence didn’t factor in the most.

I have always been a daddy’s girl…I mean, I played softball for crying out loud. But besides my taking on my dad’s favorite sport even as a female, I looked, and continue to look, to my dad for everything. He has been a huge factor in so many major life decisions and more importantly, the small decisions that I consistently run into. I know in my heart that I wouldn’t have any of the positive traits I have accumulated had he not been there as he was, and is, now.

He pushes me to be the best I can possibly be while still making me feel like a million bucks if I don’t exactly achieve what was anticipated. He has cheered me on in every aspect of every organization I have been part of. I hear his voice in my head, saying the same uplifting words of wisdom I have heard since my youngest of years, when encouragement is exactly what I need. I look to him when I’m broken, when I’m happy and when I just need a friend. As I tear up writing about his sincere impact on my life, I am welcome my an overwhelming sense of admiration, gratitude and love for this amazing man who truly is my hero.

If you’re reading this, daddy, thank you for being you and for being the person that I have leaned on for 22 years now. I couldn’t have done any of it without you and know I have so much to look forward to because of the valuable lessons you have passed to me. You are the brightest light, the warmest of hearts and the most loving man I have ever come across, making me the luckiest (well, one of two) girl in the world to call you daddy. Happy birthday to you daddy! Just know this world has been a better place for the past 60 years you have graced it with your presence. And let’s face it, 60 never looked better 🙂 I love you to the moon and back, and back again, forever and always.

(your Little One)

Feelin’ 22

Long time, no post. Totally my bad. Happy 2014 everyone! From the holidays, to my internship, to career hunting and trying to focus on school, I have been terribly busy. In fact, I turned 22 last week in the blink of an eye. It seems like yesterday I was stepping into my a SLO bar to experience my first year as a legal recipient of alcoholic beverages. Now, I am one year into my twenties and although I am sad to say it is over, I have taken a considerable amount of time reflecting on this past year of life that I have been so blessed to live.

Last year, on January 15, 2013, never did I ever think I would have done, seen and loved all that I had. Maybe it was my ability to wine taste on the beautiful central coast, join my sister and dad in exposing my taste buds to exceptional beers, experiencing the dreamland that is Coachella or conquering the adult playground in Las Vegas. Or maybe, just maybe, it was that 3 glorious, glamorous, indescribable months I spent in the one city I had only dreamed of visiting – NYC. I can’t really put my finger on it, but my year as a 21-year old definitely made a mark on the woman I am today. The experiences, the happiness and the independence to foster the greatest sense of knowledge about the unknown, combined made this last year one for the books. Thinking back on it all, I can’t thank destiny enough for giving me one hell of a year.

Being that it was so exceptional, the fact that my life as a 21-year old and all of those experience are officially complete, it is difficult to embrace this new age. I can’t imagine a year better than the last, but I am going to do whatever it takes to accomplish just that. What is a life without a little challenge, right? In fact, it’s only been a week and my bucket list is slowly being crossed off and conquered. I have no idea where I will be following my last year as a college student (one of the many daunting facts about being 22) but I supposed the unknown once and will do it again. So bring it on 22, you’ve got quite the shoes to fill and I’m so excited to see what’s in store.

xo