My dad was always at each and every game, which I realized was a luxury not all kids received. My dad was very influenced by sports and always did a great job of teaching me how to act on and off the field. At my first baseball game, I stroked out twice, causing me to throw my bat and slam down my helmet in front of all the other players. My dad 's voice was bold and strong but gently enough at the same time. "Tyler, you are my favorite player on the team, but I like you a lot more with a smile on your face and a better attitude. We will go to the batting cages tomorrow and show them what a Van Cleve is made out of." He taught not only me but all 5 of my other siblings about having good sportsmanship. One of my dad 's biggest rules in the household was to “treat others the way you want to be treated.” My dad being raised in a high standard military household quickly caught on to what was acceptable and what was not. Our house hold rule would quickly transcribe onto the playing field of sports for me and all of my …show more content…
One of the things he learned and has mastered is the willingness to never give up, and working hard to make sure he can support his family. Ever since he was laid off by Sprint around my 5th-grade year of elementary school my dad has been contributing back and forth from Bentonville, Arkansas to our home in Overland Park, Kansas. While this changed my family 's life for sure, my dad made it work for all of us. He made it work by working throughout the week down in Arkansas and coming back home over the weekends. Instead of me and all of my family members to move away from all of our friends, my dad stepped up and sacrificed precious time away from his family and friends. Ultimately he made these sacrifices to make sure that he could support his family. No matter how annoying, and how lonely things got for him he never gave up and constantly looked at the big picture which was to make sure his kids were happy. My father is all about respect and has instilled in me that respect is at the forefront of every relationship. I would like to thank my dad for getting me plenty of second dates with his dating advice. He always reminded me to behave as a gentleman would. "Tyler do not forget to open the door for her and not close her foot in it this time! And make sure to listen, even though she may talk a lot, always listen!" It seems silly but his voice always roams