My cousin was camping at a campground I used to go to with my parents all the time. Earlier in the day I was telling her the campsites my dad favored. She then sent me a picture … it was the front campsite we’d spent so many holidays and summers on … the truck in the photo is a pristine Chevy (my dad always kept his vehicles in top notch shape) and the plate says “Larry’s truck.” We always went camping around Father’s Day. He’s there, doing what he loved.

My daddy has been gone a year and three months. Since then I’ve gotten engaged and my fiancé and I are building our first home together. I know he would be proud and so happy for us. Some days I don’t even feel like he’s actually gone and then it hits me. He’s really gone forever. This isn’t some bad dream; this is now my reality. I just want to hug him again and tell him I love him. Father’s Day is coming up and this will be the second one without him. He wasn’t materialistic but I always got him something and we had lunch together. He appreciated the simple things in life.

I know he’s proud of me and always “with me” but I wish he was here. He should still be here with me.

I love you daddy.