Dulce Perales
One of the greatest lessons Jesse taught me is that you don’t have to be my biological dad to truly be my father. He never treated me any different—he loved me and cared for me as if I was his own daughter, never once making me feel otherwise.
He taught me so much… about old cars, about any car honestly. He showed me that if something is worth fighting for, then the fight is always possible. He taught me how to collect and take care of sports cards, how to organize them just right in our binders. He even taught me more about football and the weather—things I’ll smile about forever.
My dad was my sunshine—the light of my day. He loved me and my mom unconditionally. Even on his hardest days, he never let it show. He always said, “It’s just a moment, it doesn’t define your whole day.”
Now my soul, my heart, and my body ache. I won’t hear you call my name from across the house, or ask me to come watch a game with you. I won’t hear your random facts about the weather or sit with you watching The First 48, trying to solve cases together like detectives. I won’t forget the moment you asked me to pray for you as you gave your life to God, or when you told me you were okay and that you loved me.
Now all I have is the love you left behind… your voice in my head, your warmth in the blankets I hold onto every night.
I love you always and forever, Dad 🕊️
My big sunshine ☀️
