Happy Father’s Day From Alexa Arnold

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 Alexa Arnold's letter to her dad:

My father is the man with the biggest heart and the loudest voice. Growing up, I remember being slightly embarrassed of my dad, the guy boasting about my achievements to disinterested ears, over-invested in 10u softball games and the man reluctant to take a “no” from anyone. I remember 4 a.m. car rides, my dad’s tired eyes peering over the steering wheel en route to another early softball tournament, college road trips and hotel rooms up and down the East Coast, graduate school visits, and his enthusiastic wave and wide grin during my college graduation.

Now as I reflect back upon the past 22 years, I am overwhelmingly proud and thankful for my dad’s constant support and commitment to never being far from the sidelines of a game or having the biggest smile in a crowd. My dad has encouraged me to follow my heart and pursue my dreams. He has put my happiness above his own and shaped me into who I am today.

I can only hope to be half the person you are. Happy Father’s Day to my hero, my best friend, and the best man I know — I love you!

—Alexa Arnold

See all Father's Day letters here.

Image Credit: Alexa Arnold