Dad's girl

Today is my dad's birthday, and I want to share with you what he has been to me throughout my life. As a little girl my dad was truly my hero. He danced with me, he tickled me, he tucked me in at night, he prayed over me, he wrestled with my brothers and I, and for many years he was the one who "brought home the bacon". He was also also our pastor, which was unique.
When I remember going to church as I child, I remember my dad. I remember his Bible stories, and how he brought the Bible to life to life for me. I remember him leading all the children in "Light Factory" in song, and how he sang his heart out, complete with hand motions, and full facial expressions. He sang his heart out, which in turn, inspired the little hearts who watched him to sing their hearts out. Both of my parents were complete role-models in how to grow in purity, and live out a fulfilled, Christian life. None of the harmful decisions I made were a reflection of my parents, and none of the choices I made early on with men were a reflection of my father's care or his love for me. 
Let me tell you how my father did influence me in my life. I want you to know, I have such a strong, deep, compassionate, sincere, never ending, true, unfailing love for my father. I am writing this with tears in my eyes because my love and respect, and sincere gratitude for what he has been to me in my life goes beyond anything I can describe, or eloquently put into writing.
My dad has taught me how to battle through the wars that life can bring. He has been such an example of this through his own life. He has not has an easy life himself. He has been smacked in the face, many times over. What has been consistent in my father, every time the enemy has drawn his sword is that my father has battled with the fire of the Lord in his heart, and has never given up. When he has been brought to his knees in the battle, he simply prays for strength while he is down there. He has always relied on his biggest Defender, and that is his Mighty Father, his Protector, his Shield, his Sword, his Strength. He has never let the battlefield of life cause to surrender, because of his extreme faith in Jesus.
My father's warrior heart has taught me how to keep fighting. He has been such an inspiration to me, of never completely surrendering to Enemy. He speaks truth, and he has lived truth. He always spoke this truth to his daughter, and never stopped. He has fought for me from day one, and will never stop. He is one of the main reasons why I will never stop fighting this fight, and why now I am fighting the fight for others, by spreading my story. Now, I will fight for my father, as he has fought for me, whenever he is on a battlefield again. I want to be a hero in his eyes like he is in mine.
When my eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit, and I met the man I would marry, what I loved so much about him, is he loved me in a tender way, and loved others in a tender way, much like my dad, and my Grandpa Briggs (My Granddaddy too, but for some reason I saw more of my Grandpa Briggs). My dad is a reflection of his dad, and I would be so deeply honored to one day be a reflection of my daddy. My dad will always be my first love, the first man to hold my hand, the first man to kiss my cheek, the first man to hold me and comfort me. A true father's love never goes away. Dad, neither does your daughter's. You saved me so many times.