The Ultimate Role Model - My Dad

If you know anything about me, you know my dad is my greatest role model. Growing up as the oldest daughter, I always wanted his undivided attention. I sought his approval and secretly hoped to be his favorite. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized just how special it is to share that admiration with so many others.

My dad is a man who somehow does it all. He runs on very little sleep and refuses to touch coffee. I think that alone qualifies as a superpower. As the high school football coach in our town, he’s not just a leader on the field. He’s the hardest-working, most selfless person I know, giving 150% to everything he does while always keeping family as his top priority. Whether he’s mentoring his players, helping a neighbor, or supporting his family, he always knows what truly matters: the people around him.

I’ll never forget, one of my first assignments in college, Sociology 1, we were asked to write a paper about a famous hero. I proudly turned mine in three days early, confident it was perfect. When I got the paper back with a 78%, I was stunned. I stayed after class to find out what went wrong, only to learn I’d missed the mark because “Lenny Jankowski” wasn’t considered famous. If my professor had ever set foot in Vero Beach, Florida though, I’m pretty sure she’d feel differently.

My dad has this incredible way of inspiring everyone he meets. He’s taught us that it’s not about what you have, but who you have, and that being rich means nothing if you’re not rich in love. 

He wasn’t always easy on me, though. He pushed me to be better—in sports, school, and life. He challenged me to take my role as a big sister seriously, instilling in me the value of hard work and kindness. He set the bar high, but his example has always been one worth striving for.

Recently, I had a conversation about how we often wait until someone’s funeral to say all the wonderful things we feel about them. That’s something I want to change, starting now. So here’s to my dad—the man who taught me how to love deeply, work hard, and value family above all else.

Thank you, Dad, for being everything I hope to be and more.

Happy 53rd Birthday. Let’s win a football game!