Looking back on my high school yearbook photos, it's easy to see why I wasn't asked out for any movies or parties. Nice 80's fro, music geek, content to stay home with my family on a Friday night and watch the Golden Girls. I didn't miss much, but when Valentine's Day rolled around, I was miserable.

All of the steadies and the just-boinked-last-week-so-I'll-buy-something-I-guess relationships were front and center at our school. For awhile, the FHA people offered Val-o-grams; you could buy a note to put on your heart cookie and have it sent to the person you liked. It was HUGE to have a "?" under the name.

When you were dating in the big leagues, you got roses. The entire day you'd hear the school secretary on the intercom paging all the girls to the front office for their flowers. I knew I'd never get one - I wasn't dating anyone - but still, I imagined one day some secret person I'd never noticed before would send me a giant bouquet and we'd live happily ever after.

One Valentine's Day at school, I used my .10 to call my mom and cry. I was devastated that all my friends were liked by a boy and I wasn't. I wanted to come home. She wouldn't let me, naturally, but told me to 'just hang in there' and I could come home soon.

The last hour of classes, I was sitting in the school gym waiting for the last bell. The school secretary walked in a single rose in a vase. Everyone was looking to see where this gift would go.

And to who did it go?

Me.

And it wasn't from any boy in my class, or even that one kid I loved from afar at track meets. Oh no! It was from my dad. The note read, "I wanted to be the first guy to give you a rose. I love you, Dad". I was speechless. I was thrilled and excited beyond words. Everyone wanted my rose instead. I wouldn't have traded this simple gift for all the 20 minute relationship roses given that day. This love was a love that last forever. It's a special love between a dad and a daughter, and if he hadn't already, he captured my heart then.

My dad died ten years ago, quite unexpectedly. He was only 49. I miss him every day. Today, he would have been 60.

So, Happy Birthday, Dad, wherever you are. I love you. I miss you. I will treasure you and all you taught me for the rest of my life.