Dear Dad,

My dear dad retires from the workforce in a few short days. In fact, Friday, Valentine's Day, 2014 is his last day at the office. Forever. I am not going to lie, I am more than a little bit jealous. I wish I could say the same. I have had the experience of an extended vacation before, thanks to summer break. I know how my life is when I am not bound by having to be gone all day almost every day. I make my bed every day. My kids have a chore list, and a reward system. I pay bills early, and have a detailed schedule for my life. I exercise every day. I take time to sit and color, read, and play Operation with my kids. I am really, really good at not working. So, naturally, I am jealous that my dad is about to basically get summer forever. I know that he will be good at not working too, once he gets used to it. He is good at everything that he does.

I have just a few words for my dad, in honor of this milestone achievement called retirement.

First,Dad, thank you. You were an amazing provider, and I never knew want or need growing up. I never prayed that a miracle would put clothes on my back, or food on my table. I didn't need a miracle because I had you. Thank you for working hard, and well.

Thank you for how you showed me that hard work was important, and family was more important. You did this in the way that you came home on your short little lunch break for a Tuna sandwich from Mom. I have had them. They aren't worth coming home for, but Mom sure is. And I learned from watching you do that, that we were more important than anything.

Thank you for whistling as you walked from the car into the house every day. You didn't come in mad. You didn't come in talking on your cell phone (once they were finally invented) or carrying the burdens of the day. You came home and you were home, and happy to be there. You set the whole attitude for our family by your peaceful, and contented demeanor, and the joyful tune you whistled. I couldn't wait to hear that whistle. I think whistling is what a happy heart sounds like when it reaches the face. :)

Thanks for all of the days that you got out of the car and put your briefcase down on the edge of the driveway and started shooting baskets with me. Didn't even change your shoes. Just played. I was a kid, and so I had the bliss of ignorance on my side. It never even occurred to me that you might want to go sit down and rest. But now that I have a job, and a family, I know that you probably did. So, thanks for choosing me, time and time again. You were busy, and important, and I honestly never knew it because to me you were just 100% Dad. There is no greater compliment I can give.

Thanks for being a Civil Engineer. It is my favorite kind of engineer. Maybe because I think all people should be civil, and it sounded like we were just calling you nice, but all my life I had a built in joke when people would ask me what you do for a living. Such a nice little bonus. :)

I hope you enjoy retirement, Dad. I respect you so much for being able to retire at such a young age, where you still have lots of adventure in your soul and spring in your step. I wish you prime tee times, short hikes, peaceful canoeing, long walks on the beach, and always a joyful whistle as the background music for every scene in your life. I am proud of you, and I still want to be just like you when I grow up. I love you. I appreciate you. I celebrate you, and if you need tips on what to do with your time once you retire, remember these three important words..."Come to Florida."

“The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had." -Robert Louis Stevenson