44th.

I've got a handsome dad, don't I? And I say so not just because it's his birthday, I'd willingly pay him the compliment everyday. 

In all 20 years of my existence, I thought dads were for talks about business and the more "serious" things in life (whatever serious denotes in your case). In truth, we didn't really get along during my adolescent years because it's simply hard for a teenage girl to live under the same roof with a disciplinarian father. He's too business-minded that it felt like engaging in conversation with him was always a business consultation and the decisions you make in life are business transactions. Everything is an investment, there are trade-offs, but in the end you have to reap the benefits. Of course, this helped me make better life decisions and grow as a woman of character. Lately, however, I discovered a side of his personality I never dared to probe until I had to face something so emotionally provoking that I came down to the choice of telling him how I was. He is my parent, afterall. Suddenly, we put aside our talks about career and making money, and the focus went to the process of his daughter feeling better. I never thought that he knew all the perfect things to say, that he could make everything much easier, and that he could talk so much sense into me -- and I just felt guilty for not knowing.

Happy Birthday, daddy! Still in your early 40s (or mid now?) That isn't so bad. Thank you for all the years that you spoiled me with material things but that could never really equal to the emotional support you are giving me now. Everyone says they have the best dad in the world on their father's birthday, but I'm one of those who really mean it. We love you!