You know how teachers say that they don't have favourite students? I don't make that lie. THIS is my favourite student of all time! I love her to death. I can't even imagine any future student being close to as great (well, there is a certain 2-year-old who could be her equal one day, I suppose).
I remember when Sophia was very young (4 or 5 years old). We were living in Squamish and some of my colleagues were teaching their own children (pretty common in a smaller town). I mentioned it one night at dinner:
Me: Hey Sophia. Some of the other teachers at school teach their own kids. Maybe Daddy will get to teach you one day.
Sophia (looking horrified): No! Don't want that! I don't want that!
Me (taken aback): it's ok. It probably won't happen anyway.
Sophia (looking close to tears): I don't want to be in Daddy's class! Nooooo!
Hmmm. You also INSISTED that I NOT coach your soccer team. What's that all about?
Anyway, somehow you DID end up in my class. Thanks for "being ok" with that. And thanks for working so hard at the Math. I know it's not your favourite thing but you've really done an awesome job this past year! Love the determination and commitment!
I will keep this short (so I don't get carried away and embarrass you). I'll just say, Sophia, how proud of you I am, how cool it was to have the opportunity to be your teacher, and - more importantly - how i LOVE being your Papa! You are #1! Always!!