Hey Dad, 

Happy Father's Day. It's been a while, about nine years or so. I just wanted you to know that I miss you. I also wanted you to know that even though you are not here with us, you have made the biggest impact of my life. You were the first person to break my heart.

Looking who and where I am today, I wanted to say thank you. I know things would have panned out extremely different if you stayed. And as much as I would love for you to still be here, I love how strong I have become without you. I learned a lot of lessons in your absence, ones that I never paid attention to when I was with you. 

You taught me to be compassionate. When you left, I learned how to love deeply. I became the true leo that I am. It's funny how when you lose someone, you cling on to the rest around you. With a chain of events, I transformed into the type of person to always take care. To share my warmth with everyone I touched, even when I felt so terribly cold. 

You taught me to be appreciative. When you left, I learned how to say thank you. We never really know when it is our time to leave, so we never know when to say thanks. The older I grow, the more I see how beautiful my life has been, how blessed I truly am. I have a circle of love that will do anything for me, and for that I could not be more thankful. 

You taught me to live. When you left, I learned how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. As my years continue to fly by, I realized how short life really is. Anything can happen, and I began to take a step back from the future to focus on my present. With a world of memories at my feet, I am shaping an amazing flashback for years to come. 

The biggest lesson you taught me is to move on. This is nine years in the making, but I think I am finally getting the hang of it. With a metaphoric minute to live, I am learning to let go of the past and push forward. Life goes by quickly, so why should I look back? 

I miss you so much, but you will be happy to know that I am doing well. I am killing it Dad, and I am not stopping anytime soon. 

Xx your butterfly.