Respect, honesty and no secrets – that is how a good father-daughter relationship is maintained, according to the Hortons.

“We’re pretty honest with each other,” said Kayleigh Horton, 15, about how her and her dad Jeffrey Horton sustain their close relationship.

“I treat her like a human being, like an adult, like an equal,” said Jeffrey. “We’re really close friends.”

Knowing he would be responsible for raising Kayleigh on his own, Jeffrey and his daughter moved to Orcas Island 11 years ago. His sister, Jennifer, has acted as a surrogate mom to Kayleigh, who is like a sister to Jennifer’s daughter Katarina. The two are just four weeks apart in age.

But according to both Jeffrey and Kayleigh, he’s pretty good at handling things on his own.

“He’s kinda like my mom and my dad,” said Kayleigh. “I think I’m a lot closer to my dad than my friends are with their parents.”

The duo traveled abroad recently, spending a couple weeks visiting Italy and France. Kayleigh had always wanted to go to Paris; Jeffrey promised to take her there before she was 16.

In 2015, the two appeared in Across the Universe, a Beatles-tribute concert at Orcas Center. Kayleigh was in the choir and Jeffrey played drums. He is also a drummer for the band Obey the Spider.

“My primary goal is that she’s happy,” Jeffrey said, explaining that his parenting style is to not overcomplicate things.

“I try not to be too big of a pain,” says Kayleigh with a laugh.

“We’re in it together,” said Jeffrey. “It’s me and her against the world.”