Happy Father’s Day To Joe Wagner

In celebration of Father's Day on Sunday June 17, we asked Patch readers to write a letter to their father and let us deliver it. This is Claire Wagner's letter to her dad:

I would like to thank Joe Wagner for being one of the most supportive and influential people I’ve ever met. I’m proud to call him my father.

Dad,

After almost 19 years of me being a sassy kid, edgy teenager and an overall pain-in-the-butt, I have finally come to realize that everything you’ve scolded me for was completely justified in reason. I cannot express my gratitude for how patient you’ve been with me and my brother. Even when we break your fancy sports ornaments and dent your car, you still love us unconditionally. You’ve taught me forgiveness and other things that school never had: life lessons, common sense, things like how to make bank deposits, park a car safely, maintain a garden.

Because of you, I know what to do or when to ask for help if needed, and it’s a great sense of relief to know you’ll always be there for me as a backup. I can’t thank you (and Mom) enough after my first year of college -- I’ve realized that chores suck, but they suck more when you’re doing them alone. So, as much as I hated taking out trash or cleaning my room, thank you for preparing me. I appreciate you more than I think I show sometimes.

Happy Fathers’ Day, Dad. I love you!

—Claire Wagner

See all Father's Day letters here.

Image Credit: Claire Wagner