Stan Lockett was named Father of the Year at Daddy Date Night on Sunday. Following is Kaylie Lockett’s winning essay.
Dear Dad,
I am not much of a writer but you deserve this, so here goes nothing.
I love you
My dad is the very best dad out there. Now I know lots of people say this, but it is true. Without my dad I don’t know where I would be in life. My dad has been my guiding hand since I was little. He has always been someone I have looked up to. He is strong, selfless, loving, and the best dad I could ever ask for.
When I was younger I remember not being able to start the snowmobiles. I would pull and pull on the start cord, but I wasn’t strong enough to get it to start. I would watch my dad in awe as he would pull with one swift movement and I would hear the roar of the engine. When I was a kid I thought strength was all physical, but as I have grown up I have realized it is much more than that. Strength isn’t just how much mass you can move. It is how someone can put others before themselves and feel no regret. And that sums my dad up.
My dad is the most selfless person I know. He always wants to help people, which is one of the many reasons I look up to him. My whole life my dad has always put me and my family first and protected us. He does so much for us ranging from basically building us a house to hugging us when we most need it. Once my dad read somewhere that a 30 second hug everyday can make someone happier and less stressed. So for the longest time he would hug me for 30 seconds everyday. And you may be thinking that 30 seconds is a long time, but when my dads arms wrap around me the time seems to fly by in an instant.
I have never once felt as though my dad does not love me. Everytime I leave the house I don’t make it out the door without hearing an “I love you”, when I go to sleep at night the last thing I hear is “I love you”. My dad has left no doubt in my mind that he loves me with all his heart and never will stop loving me.
My dad is the best dad ever and I wouldn’t have it any other way. He is one of my biggest role models and I will always be the little girl who wants to be just like her dad. I love my dad so much and I am going to savor this last year with my dad before I move out. So instead of a 30 second hug I might make it a minute. I love you dad.
Kaylie