1

"Told me something about needing to drink your coffee black if you’re a man. Almost 20 years later, I still do that, and actually do just prefer it at this point. I go to Starbucks with my dad the other day and he puts creamer in his coffee. God dammit dad."

2

"I was an angsty teen. Said some disrespectful sh#t to my mom.

“You’re too big to spank so if you ever talk to my wife like that again, I’ll handle you like I’ll handle any other man who would do the same.” He was calm AF when he said it too. Scared me sh#tless."

3

"I love, revere, and respect my dad. He is beloved by pretty much everyone in his family, my mom’s family, and people in general. A few years ago he said to me, “You’re a good man with a good heart. You’re better than me.”"

4

"Life is tough but it is a lot tougher if you’re stupid."

5

"You can always come back home."

6

"If you see someone without a smile give them yours."

7

"When I came out to my dad at 21 he said, “I don’t care who you love, just be happy.” I’m 29 and I don’t think I’d have the confidence or charisma without it."

8

“Nobody, and I mean nobody, will ever have your back like I do. Believe it.”

9

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.”

10

"When I was 16, I attempted suicide. I can’t tell you what attempt it was because I’ve lost count tbh. But this was the only one I told my father about. I hadn’t told my mom because…well me and my mom have a bit of more strained relationship then me and my father. My father told me, “I don’t think I ever told you that your birth saved my life.”"

11

"Son there are two things in life. Things you need, and things you want. You need a roof over your head, food in your stomach, and someone else to go through life with. Everything else is a want. Work for the things you want. But live for the things you need."

12

"Buy land. They ain’t making more of it."

13

"My parents were helping me through a PTSD induced panic attack after I received a very insulting – and out of the nowhere – text from one of my ex’s relatives.

I felt like they were gonna get mad at me or be disappointed in me for overreacting to the situation and being too emotional about it and told them as much. My Dad looked at me and just said “You’re safe here.” It was such a simple statement but it was exactly what I needed to hear in that moment."

14

"I know you have a lot of pride and want to accomplish everything by yourself, but whenever you’re in need and everyone around you has let you down (He raised his hand) I’ll be there."

15

"My dad is a retired LTC in the Army. Served very honorably for 27 years including Vietnam. I had a pretty rough time after graduating high school. Wound up doing quite a few stints in jail and just being a rather sh#tty person. I finally got sober.

Started a job as a lube tech and worked my way up to master technician and eventually left and started my own business. I don’t get to see him very often but a couple of years ago when I was saying goodbye to him, he gave me an uncharacteristically long hug and told me he was proud of me. A war hero that holds two masters degrees was proud of me. That, I will never forget."