I hear it all the time, especially when my dad and I are together: "You are just like your father!" Usually it comes out of my mom's mouth when my dad and I gang up on her or if she's annoyed because I'd rather do something my way — which is usually my dad's way — than her way. I love my mom, I really, really do, but we just don't have much in common. I'm a daddy's girl through and through.

And proud of it.

For starters, I look like my dad's twin — down to the flat chest — but being a daddy's girl has meant so much more to me than our similar appearances. I was brought up listening to amazing rock music (Mom loves smooth jazz, so really got spared there), I have a thorough knowledge of baseball and the New York Yankees (some of my most impressive talking points), and I can swing a golf club pretty damn well, even though I personally detest the sport, which is the one thing we don't have in common.

I truly believe that there are fewer things in life as powerful as the bond between a father and his little girl [1] (whether she's still little or not), which is why I fully support the notion of the daddy's girl. Here are a few of the things I've gained as a result of being firmly attached to my dad's (tall) hip.

1. I can always get an honest opinion from my dad, because like many men, he doesn't tend to beat around the bush.
2. I always have someone looking out for my best interests. Mess with a girl who's close with her dad, and you'll regret it.
3. I know a ton of "guy things" like changing car tires [2], installing shelving, putting air conditioners in windows, and using a drill.
4. I know that no matter what I accomplish in life, he'll be there to cheer me on, give me praise, and tell the world about it.
5. And when the not-so-great things happen, I know I can rely on him to make things better.
6. I always have someone to watch baseball and drink beer with.
7. I have developed the driest sense of humor [3] thanks to him, so we can sit and laugh at each other for hours, which is great for the soul. (This has also helped me to learn how to take a joke much better than most.)
8. Whenever I need advice, I have a smart, caring, sensible guy to hit me with his best tips and tricks — whether I need help filling out my tax forms (yes, I still need help) or can't decide what to eat for dinner.
9. I have a (big) shoulder to cry on and someone to listen to me, if that's what I need in the moment.
10. I know what true love looks like because of the way my dad has loved me and the way he loves my mom — and I have never once settled for someone who didn't deserve me as a result.

I'm a grown woman who sees her dad once a week — if we're lucky — but essentially being his shadow as I grew up has had a huge and positive influence on my life. I couldn't possibly imagine having anyone else for a dad, but I guess that's how most daughters with a father who is their hero [4] feel, right? We're all the luckiest, especially me.