To my firecracker on her 14th birthday.

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There are few titles in life that I wear with more pride than “Dad.” And of all the roles I play, “Girl Dad” might be the most unpredictable, exhausting, and downright entertaining one of them all. But being your dad, Addie, takes the cake. (Yes, I said cake—Happy Birthday, kiddo!)

Being your dad is a wild ride, one that’s equal parts laughter, chaos, and wondering how I ended up in an argument I am probably going to lose. You have a level of intelligence that keeps me on my toes at all times. If there were a debate team for literally any topic imaginable, you would be the captain, the MVP, and the reigning world champion. Whether we’re discussing the merits of your latest hockey move, whether curfews are actually necessary, or why technically I didn’t say you couldn’t do something, you find loopholes I never even knew existed. It’s both impressive and, let’s be honest, incredibly annoying when I just want a simple “yes, Dad.”

And then there’s your wit. I don’t mean just funny—I mean lightning-fast, razor-sharp, “did-she-just-say-that?!” kind of wit. You don’t just crack jokes, you deliver them with pinpoint accuracy, perfect comedic timing, and the confidence of someone who knows she’s about to take down her target. Sometimes, that target is me. Often, I have no comeback. (Okay, sometimes I have a comeback, but even then, it’s like playing mental chess with a grandmaster who enjoys watching me struggle.)

Your sense of humor is one of my favorite things about you. You can make a room erupt in laughter without even trying, and when you do try, it’s next-level funny. You bring joy into every conversation, even the ones where you are technically roasting me beyond recognition. (Happy Birthday, but let’s dial that part down just a little today, okay?)

And then, of course, there’s your competitive fire—your stab-you-to-win mentality. You don’t just want to win; you needto win. In hockey, in games, in debates, in proving that you are absolutely right about something even when the evidence is… let’s say, debatable. It’s one of the most powerful things about you, and while sometimes I wish you could read the room (like maybe not trying to dominate a casual family board game as if it’s the Stanley Cup Finals), I wouldn’t change it for the world. That fire, that drive—it’s going to take you places. Big places. Just, you know, maybe let some of us win once in a while so we can keep a shred of dignity?

Addie, being your dad has been one of the greatest joys of my life. You challenge me, make me laugh until my sides hurt, and impress me every single day. You are smart, hilarious, and tenacious in ways that make me proud (and, occasionally, exhausted).

So happy birthday, kiddo. Keep being exactly who you are. And if we play a game today, maybe—just maybe—consider letting me win. (Just once. For old times’ sake.)

Love,
Dad

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