Dear Dad: You embarrass me in public, but I love you

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

Editor’s Note: The following letters were written by students in the seventh-grade classes of Lori Scarpa von Diezelski, at Indian Trails Middle School, before the last day of school.

You support me in everything — except cheerleading

Dear Jason:
This may be a little weird for you. But I just want to tell you how much you mean to me. You are the best step-dad anyone can ask for. You’re always there for me and you always care for me.

You like to joke around a lot, and I like that you can laugh stuff off most of the time. You are nice and provide a roof over my head and food on my plate. I like that you support me most of my decisions (except for cheerleading, but I know that it’s because you hate cheerleading) and are there for me when I need it most.

I love you, Jason. You are the best step-dad in the world!

Arianna Legory

You made four miracles with Mom

Dear Dad:
I’m Daddy’s little girl, and our relationship is priceless. You’ve worked so hard all your life to put a roof over us, food, clothes and pay the bills, and I just want you to know that it’s very much appreciated. We all love you so much and even though it may seem we aren’t close, we’re closer than most.

We really do listen to you because we love you. You definitely have a seat waiting for you in heaven. You should be a saint! You made four miracles with Mom, anyway.

You give yourself to everyone else and God the best you can. I admire so much about you, and I love you endlessly.

Samantha Sapienza

One day, I want to grow up and be like you

Dear Dad:
I am always happy when you hit me ground balls at the field. You also help me get out of things Mom wants me to do that I don’t want to do.

You also stay home with me and take care of me when I am sick. I really like spending time with you because you are fun to talk to, and you listen to what I have to say, and one day I want to grow up and be like you.

Charlie Alfano

Thanks for not being a boring dad

Dear Daddy:
You are the best daddy ever because you always take us out on the boat for fun, and you always try to teach us how to fish and teach us Russian! You always take us tubing on the boat and take us to all these cool places, like back to Washington and when we go with you on trips in your truck you always show us cool spots like rivers and stuff.

I’m glad that you are like that instead of being the kind of dad that just sits at home and is boring all day.
I always miss you on the road working, but it’s always fun when you get back because then I get my awesome dad back.

You are very good at taking care of all of us (your three awesome daughters)! You always make us feel better when we are hurt because you make jokes and stuff. You also take good care of Mommy because you help her around the house. I could that you love everyone in your family very much because of how well you take care of all of us, and we all love you very much — especially me.

Sarina Maksimyuk

You shot me in the butt, but it was friendly fire

Dear Darin:
Ever since you came into my life and became my step-dad, things were rather laid back and calm. I didn’t like that too much — it was rather boring. But the thing I think you do best is make things interesting for the family by cracking jokes or messing with me and Danielle, or taking us Airsofting, which is really fun! Besides when you shot me in the butt, which was friendly fire.

You’ve done a lot to help me, but lately I’ve been getting things done myself but only because you and Mom taught me so. I’m really happy that you came into my life, even if it was luck or what.

Shane Berryhill

You embarrass me in public, but I love you

Dear Dad:
You are the funniest person I know. You are always there for me, and you always care for me. You always love to dance, especially in front of my friends or in public.

You like to scream my name and embarrass me in public, too. But I’m glad I have a crazy, fun and caring dad like you. I love you.

Chiara Longo

You make the best lumpy mashed potatoes

Dear Grandpa:
From the day I was born, you were always in my life.

I love it when we hang out and eat ice cream together while watching the Miami Heat basketball game. When we go to the store and I see something I want, you never say no to me. You always buy me the best stuff, and I love you. You make the best lumpy mashed potatoes. And those are some of the reasons I love you.

Gabriella Cheberko

Thanks for buying me a bunny

Dear Dad:
One thing you do really well is cooking dinner just about every night for all us girls. Yes, we are picky, but you always seem to find a way to satisfy all of us. I really admire how you can just open up the fridge and make whatever with whatever ingredients.

I love how you go out of your way to make me happy, like the time I asked you if I could get a bunny, and you said yes even though it was an hour or two away.

Thank you for always getting the things I need from the store. Thank you for always coming to my honor roll ceremony. But most of all, thank you for being my father/dad who is always there for me.

Zelia Burnett

You change my point of view in a good way

Dear Dad:
I love you so much. You do everything from playing piano to cooking dinner to singing to working overtime, just so we are a happy family. You also fix everything, like the TV or the computer and Sky’s car when it breaks down. But you do everything you put your mind to, like how we went jogging over the summer to lose weight, and we did.

You encourage me to do things. You change my point of view on things in a good way.

Dad, did you ever notice the things I do just like you? Well, here’s some things I do like you: I’m always so sarcastic like you. We think the stupidest thinks are funny. Mom says that I’m witty and smart, have a silly laugh, and I’m musically inclined, like you.

Destiny Goncalves

You stay in style, with Mom’s help

Dear Samuel:
Happy Father’s Day to the best step-dad ever! There’s a lot of things you do well, except cook, but I’ve gotten over the fact that you couldn’t!

You can play basketball still, even though you are getting real old and you would probably be the best at the quiet game if we ever played!

You take care of me in many different ways. You take me out every Friday, getting me whatever I want and caring for me in a quiet way. I love how you stay in style (with Mom’s help)!

Sha’Nora Ledwell

I like that I can pick on you

Dear Dad:
You make the best beef jerky I have ever tasted in my whole life!
You are also good at being a pain in the butt sometimes when I don’t want you to be. You’re also good at being a dad and making sure to keep me out of trouble, and if I do get in trouble, I’ll regret it. You’re also good at driving with a lead foot.

What I like about you is you can’t run as fast as me, so when you’re chasing me, I can get away and keep running. I also like that you can drive me places and take me hunting. I also like that I can pick on you and bother you a bunch. I also like you because you’re my dad, and you care about me.

Dylan Blackley

You got to choose to adopt me, and you did

Dear Daddy:
You have been here for since I came to live with you, and I can’t thank you enough. You took me in after Daddy Billy passed away and treated me like your own. You have made who I am today. You introduced me to Jesus Christ and took me to church. You taught me so many lessons, and I’m proud to have a dad like you. I’m so proud of you and the decisions you have made in your life.

You got to choose if you wanted to adopt me or not, and you did, and I can’t thank you enough. Without you, I literally don’t know where I would be today. I love you, Daddy!

Laura Mitchell