I’m so well and truly grateful for my dad via /r/gratitude

So I lost my mum ages ago when I was quite young, and was raised entirely by my dad after that. Neither of us really had the time to properly grieve, but we had each other for comfort and I leaned on him quite heavily. He was effectively my mum as well. At 26, I’m beginning to realise how much he sacrificed just so I can have the life I want, and I’m not even sure he properly grieved, he was just someone who was “always on” for his girl. He supported me through my first breakup, when I basically lived with him for weeks and cried in his arms till I had no tears left, and he ensured I had an endless supply of tea, cakes and comforting hugs. He held my hand at graduation, made sure I always had what I needed, and had the sense/strength to tell me off when I was being stupid, or about to make silly decisions. He didn’t coddle me, he wasn’t my “friend”, he parented me, and I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done. And when I came out to him a couple of years ago when he kept asking me if I was seeing anyone, he had the widest smile on his face, hands up in the air, when I told him I had a girlfriend, like a child’s excitement. All he asked was, “does she make you happy?”

I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression for many years now, and he, along with the music he introduced me to, has been my solid rock. We used to have “listening” sessions and he taught me to use music to unlock the emotive power of a tune, and how to channel it, communicate with it, and really feel it. And that, has been the greatest gift he has ever given me. I know I say it to him every day, but dad, I love you with all my heart ❤️