happy birthday, daddio!

my mom found this old letter in a box under a bed some time ago and emailed it to me. it's a letter i had written to my dad while he was on cruise one year with the navy. it is dated august 12, 1995. i was 14. it's amazing that 13 years has gone by. in the blink of an eye...

now don't get me wrong, he hasn't been the easiest person to have as a father. call sign "sarge". as in Sargent. as in don't mess with me and wear ear plugs. my childhood friends still joke about the intensity in the kiggins house growing up. i mean, who plays revelry at 6 am to get everyone up to go to six flags magic mountain?! "line up, hogs!", the great tontini (in honor of one of his favorites, "the great santini"), why yes, i fly, falling asleep to the star spangled banner, and of course, the 'top gun' soundtrack playing all the way back from base are just some of the fond memories of growing up.

all military set aside, he was also known as the craziest dad around. i can remember a field trip in middle school that he participated in as a chaperon. everyone wanted to sit next to him and watch his magic card tricks. all the neighborhood kids would come running over so that they could have a turn being swung by their ankles. he let us jump off the patio roof, promising not to let us fall. he taught me and my brothers how to shoot a gun before we could drive.

now that i'm older, i appreciate all the wisdom he embarked on me as a child. even though i didn't want to answer "what did you learn today that you didn't know yesterday?" for the 80 billionth time. he has taught me so much. he taught me how to ride a bike, how to catch a fly ball, how to drive, how to fly, how to move across the country and away from friends, how to make new friends, how to appreciate family, how to honor our country and those who fight for our freedom. he taught me how to succeed in school and then in the business world. he taught me how to stand up for myself. he taught me to never settle for second best. he taught me to be the best person i can be. he taught me that family is number one, always. he taught me how to love unconditionally.

i've been told a number of times that my family is unlike any other family. that our love and support of each other is priceless. this is all because our parents decided they were going to make it work and make it work to the best of their ability. my dad played half the role in this and for that, i am forever grateful.

so here's to you daddy...as the letter says, "no matter what age i get, where i move to or who i get married to, i'll always be your little girl and forever your sweetie pie."