I'm 21 years old and a senior in college, afraid to talk to my dad about visiting boyfriend?

I am 21 years old graduating college in 2010, I have been in a close long distance relationship with my boyfriend for the last 4 years. I am living with my father and its his house so I know its his rules and I respect that. I feel extremely indebted to him for all of the things he has given me (paid for my college tuition, lets me live rent free, bought me a car, etc) and I know he doesn't approve of my boyfriend that is 8 years older than me, still lives with his mother and doesn't have a decent job (although he works full time in a kitchen and attends police school at night). When I first met my boyfriend 4 years ago I was 18 and he was 26 I I feel like I have suffered in silence long about not being able to see my boyfriend. I only saw my boyfriend in person once when I was 18 he got a hotel room for us I was living in a college dorm at the time. My parents found out I was shacking up they called the police and said I was missing then drove 6 hours to hotel near my college and told my boyfriend to stay away from me (with the police present and backing them up). After that I didn't talk to my boyfriend for a few months, but we started talking again obviously and since then we have been tight, every moment that he is not at work and I am not at school we are on the computer together on Skype. My boyfriend has been there providing moral support for me through hell and high water, through my parents divorce and domestic stint that I had with my mom when I was living with her that ended up with me getting arrested and going to court for domestic ault. I encouraged my boyfriend to go to school which has really pleased his mother, both and he and his mother would really like to see me. I feel like after everything I have gone through and how hard I continue to work at school (engineering degree is not easy) I deserve a little freedom to have my own personal life for real (not just on the computer). I've been doing job interviews, made dean's list last semester, I never do anything "fun" - I stay locked up in my room all day - and this is they way its been for the last 4 years. My boyfriend is the only friend that I have and the only one I ever talk to. My dad mentioned a few times why couldn't I just find some nice smart college boys to date and that would have all his approval but love just doesn't work that way. I know that I will be out of his house soon within the next few years after I graduate and find a job but I don't think I can stand to wait that long. I asked him recently if I could visit my boyfriend for spring break and he said "why are you asking me, your 21 you can do what you want" but by the way he said it and things he has said about my bf in the past I know he still disapproves of it. I'm not sure what the effects of that disapproval will be. I know it will be hard to find the nerve to just do it, but I am going to visit my boyfriend over spring break even though my dad won't like it. If the visit goes well I really want to start getting serious because my boyfriend is graduating from the police academy and I am confident that he will get a good job. If our meeting goes well I want to spend the summer with him instead of at home with my dad. Once I graduate and if my boyfriend has a good job as a police officer and I haven't found a job yet I want to move in with him. I don't want there to be any hard feelings with my dad. Do you think I should continue living to make my dad happy and keep a distance from my boyfriend or start living my own life?