College Essay: Biggest Influence in My Life

It is very important for a girl to have her father around. In the last sixteen years, having both parents in the household was rare. Most of the friends that grew up with me only had their mothers or their fathers around, but never both. I commend all the fathers that were strong enough to raise a girl to become an independent woman. However, I was very fortunate to have both parents in my household, at least until I was seventeen.
I would like to thank my father for showing me what a hardworking, loving man looks like. He always had a job, sometimes two, but they never took any quality time away from spending with me. He played football and worked for the Saint Petersburg Police Department, both at the same time just so he could make sure my sisters and I had the best life we could possibly have.
Not only did he show me what a hardworking man was but, my father also taught and showed me how I should be treated by a man. He taught me that any man can help make a baby, but it takes a real man to become a father. He constantly reminded me of that and it helped when I had certain decisions I had to make when I finally got older. My father was always there to help raise me. Most men would rather work and have the mother at home to raise the kids. My father was different; he loved to be at home with his children. I am always happy to be around him, and I know he is happy that he could raise me to be the responsible person I am today.
I thank him for teaching me to be responsible. I learned from him that it’s much better to work hard for my money instead of taking the easy way out. I learned