For My Daddy

Last week I was watching conference. And it really made me miss my family. Especially when one talk came on about fathers by Sister Dalton.

"How can a father raise a daughter, in todays increasingly toxic world?"

 I will tell you what, Elaine S. Dalton, raise her like Daren Falter did. Now some of my more rotten choices I cannot attribute to the way I was raised, thats just the silly rebellion* every growing child must go through (unless they are socially awkward.. then they are like perfect). 

"The most important thing you can do is love her mother. She will learn from your example what to look for in young men and seek in a future spouse and never settle for less." 

First I'd just like to say, Thank you for loving my mother. Thank you for showing me that there are men in this world who will love their spouses and treat them with the respect that every person deserves. 

Thank you for showing me that even when a typical person would be stubborn and selfish, that it is okay to make sacrifices and to be the humble one, to accept responsibility for something you might not've been at fault for… just because your love is stronger than your pride. 

This talk showed me just how amazing you are as a father. 

Thank you for showing me how important the temple is. 

Thank you for showing me how important the gospel is. 

Thank you for showing me that even when there are bratty teenagers, obnoxious children and financial burdens, true love can still exist and two people can be even more in love than they were in their young and care-free days. 

Thank you for showing me God is an important part of every relationship, that prayer and the priesthood are vital.

You protect us physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. You are the ultimate father and such an amazing example to me in my life. 

You are an amazing man, with dedication and determination to follow your dreams. An inspiration to people across the world, and it all goes back to the man you are... how you raise your family, how you treat everyone.

Plus, you're the most funny... person ever. Who taught me how to be myself, yell awkward things out the window and be a really good embarrasser in public. :) (I'm sure my friends aren't so thankful for this trait you taught).

I love you DADDY! Have an amazing birthday :)

Love, 

Your FAVORITE daughter,

Lauren Elise Falter

*And by rebellion I mean the worst thing I did was sneak out this one time… and put some road kill on my friends porch. Oh and this one time, when I said I was going to get raspberries at Grandma B's house with DJ and Kylee… yeah we did go there, but we ALSO went to Ben Hollands and threw rocks at his window to scare him. Oh and that one time you caught me kissing on the couch… Did someone say awkward?