Dads really are the real MVPs, aren’t they? Whether they’re firing off unapologetic dad jokes or showing up at exactly the right moment with a cold beer and rock-solid advice after you’ve had the worst day imaginable, they just get it. Since the day I was born, my dad has made me believe that no dream is too big, too bold, or too ridiculous to chase. He’s been my steady shoulder to lean on and the first set of open arms I run to after time apart. So Dad, this one’s for you. If your dad is also your best friend, you know there are certain truths that just hit differently. You want his approval for anyone you date, and the poor guy is usually terrified to meet him because you’ve hyped your dad up so much. His jokes never get old—mostly because he never stops telling them—and somehow pizza and beers together is always the perfect plan.

When your dad is your best friend, your worlds overlap in the best way. He taught you about muscle cars, classic rock, and NASCAR like it was essential life curriculum, and now you laugh at the exact same random movie scenes no one else finds funny. You watch the same shows, swap opinions, and you genuinely want to learn about everything he’s passionate about. Along with your mom, he’s your loudest cheerleader, even if he can be gloriously cheesy. Your friends know him, he knows them, and he somehow becomes part of your squad. He’s your first call for car trouble, broken appliances, extra game tickets, or a broken heart. Even when he talks sense into you and you want to roll your eyes, deep down you know—he’s right.