Gabriella Opaz

You always said that I was different, following some internal voice only heard from within. And looking back, I can only imagine how frightened that must have made you – perpetually wary of my choices, of my path, of getting to some final destination in one piece. But ironically, no matter what choice I made, no matter how illogical or absurd that choice may have been, you’ve always supported me.

• During my Sophomore year of high school, out of teenage distress I planned a move to Ireland. And though my plan was never fully carried out, you still supported me
• When I moved to Colorado on the day of my high school graduation with no money, job or plan, you supported me
• When I swore that I would be an internationally famed painter, with only a half dozen canvases half completed in my apartment, you supported me
• When I decided to major in paranormal psychology, determined to prove the existence of the sixth sense, you supported me
• When completing my Masters, I declared my passion to become an educational speaker on Multi-Intelligence Learning, and despite my total and complete fear of public speaking, you supported me
• When I chose to celebrate my marriage by traveling across Portugal for three weeks visiting wineries, instead of having a traditional ceremony, you supported me
• When I changed my last name, our family name, to Opaz – a name only Ryan and I related to – you supported me
• When I packed up and moved to Spain without a job, knowledge of the language, money or contacts, you supported me
• When I shared my new vocation as a wine blogger, without any solid understanding as to where my financial resources would come from, you supported me

We all have our faults, our major shortcomings, and despite the moments when we’ve seen life from two different lenses, you’ve always supported me. Thank you for believing in me and for continually sharing your pride in who I am as a person.

Happy Father’s Day Dad!