A father is...

A father is:
The man of the house, the foundation on which the house was built. The strength, the hope, the protection.
The person to run to when life gets tough. The warm arms to jump into, the ones that will spin me around until I forget what's been hurt.
A father is:
The man who will tell me I'm beautiful as I walk into the living room, dressed up for my first prom. The man who will shine his shotgun on the table in front of him as my first love walks through that door. My best friend. The man who I run to when Mother and I are fighting.
A father is:
The man who puts his baby girl above all else. The man who watches his girl grow into a young woman. The person who love and respects mother with all his heart and soul.
A father is:
Kind, soft-spoken, loving, sweet-spirited, and the strongest man I know nonetheless.
A father is:
Dependable.

A father isn't:
Someone who never fails to disappoint. Someone who disgusts his family. Someone who would manipulate anyone to get his way.
A father isn't:
Someone who hurts his family over and over. Someone who only ever puts themselves first. Someone who simply doesn't care.
A father isn't:
You.