15 years ago, my mama gave me and my sister the best gift ever (aside from, you know, life): my stepdad. She made the decision to bring one of the most selfless and loving men into our lives, and we are both forever changed and grateful for that. So, as Father's Day and the 15 year anniversary of his being my stepdad approaches, I thought he deserved nothing short of this entire article dedicated to him and why he's the best dad.

1. He's, like, CRAZY good at math.

Math has never been and will never be my strong suit, but even when I was struggling with my homework and just plain angry at whoever invented algebra and geometry, my stepdad always had a solution. But the best part is, even if he couldn't answer the problem, he wouldn't stop until he helped me figure it out. His dedication to my education and my success is an absolute blessing, and I'm truly humbled that he and my mama continue to support me in every academic endeavor I pursue.

2. He ain't too shabby with power tools, either.

I'm a self-proclaimed DIY guru, so I've always got some kind of wacky project going on. By now, you'd think I'd have figured out how to use a power saw or that I'd know which screws or nails I need to use to mount this and that, but why go through all that trouble when I've got a handy-dandy stepdad armed with all the tools and woodworking knowledge I'd ever need?

3. He annoys the crap out of me and makes me laugh until I cry.

Seriously. He drives me NUTS--always making petty arguments and pestering me about literally everything, but I go along with it. I play his little game because he wouldn't drive me up the wall if he didn't care about me. He also has a freakin' HILARIOUS laugh. One episode of "America's Funniest Home Videos" with him and we're both rolling. His laugh makes me laugh and vice versa, so naturally, we keep each other pretty entertained.

4. His love for my mama is just GROSS but also adorable.

I think most people would agree that parental PDA is weird in general, but my stepdad, like, REALLY loves my mom. They're always kissing and hugging each other and saying "I love you" and calling each other babe and baby, but no matter how weirded out I may be by it, I wouldn't have it any other way. I truly love the way he loves my mama, even after 15 years. When I asked him what he wanted as a gift this Father's Day, he simply said, "I've already got everything I need 'cause I got your mama." And that was more than enough for me.

5. He's literally one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

For real, y'all, this man is one of the most selfless and humble people on the planet. He'd go without just to help someone in need. Doing a kind deed is an average, everyday thing for him. He's just a good, genuine, salt-of-the-Earth kind of man, and to me, that's one of the most admirable qualities a person can have. I can only hope to find a man half as good as he is someday.

6. He's one of the strongest people I know.

Let me tell y'all what this man did: for 18 years, he was a single parent to an only daughter--A DAUGHTER, for crying out loud. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been to raise and support a child on one income, let alone a daughter. That takes a strong person and an honestly dedicated man, and I'm so proud of him. I truly admire his strength of character.

7. He's a tightwad, but it's okay. (Really, it is.)

The man is such a penny-pincher he used to make ketchup spaghetti because he thought canned spaghetti sauce was too expensive. Like, who does that? WHO DOES THAT? My crazy stepdad, that's who, but I cannot deny that his firm grip on his finances has drastically altered the course of my life. Without his incredible ability to save and budget money, I never would've gotten my first car, and I certainly wouldn't have been able to attend my college of choice nearly debt-free. We may not have taken luxury vacations every summer, but as I grew older, none of that mattered to me. My parents made sure that my sister and I had everything we could possibly ever need and want, and when we were old enough to have jobs of our own, they taught us how to save and create a budget. Thanks to my stepdad's tightwad ways, I was able to learn valuable skills about how to manage money, and I'm grateful to have obtained such an astounding ability that I will use for the rest of my life.

8. He's a hard worker.

The day my stepdad stops working is the day he's six feet deep in a grave. The man NEVER stops working. If he's not on the clock at his day job, he's mowing lawns as his side business, and if the weather isn't conducive to that, he's tinkering with something under the carport or in his shed. He can do almost anything, and I will forever be in awe of such an amazing talent. He's worked with his hands his whole life. He's even got a good ol' farmer's tan to prove it (even though he's not a farmer). His drive and ambition inspire me daily to be the absolute best I can be, and I couldn't ask for a better role model and father figure.

9. He's got a nickname for all of us.

I've always thoughts of nicknames as a sign of admiration and affection, and for as long as I can remember, he's called his children and grandchildren alike "kid." Every time he ends a phone conversation with me or my sister, stepsister, and nephews, he always says, "Bye, kid." He may not outright tell us that he loves us very often, but I know that the kid nickname is his way of showing just how much he cares about us.

10. He made the choice to love me and my sister unconditionally.

This is, by far, the most important reason why my stepdad is the best dad. You see, he married my mama, who is 15 years younger than him, knowing full and well that he was about to raise two more kids after he'd already raised his own. He chose to take on that challenge. He chose to provide and care for us no matter what, because when he vowed to take care of my mama in sickness and in health, he made the very same vow to me and my sister. And he didn't have to. He didn't have to accept us as his own, but he has for over a decade. He's the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I will never be able to express in words or actions how so very grateful I am to have him and to be loved by him.

Happy Father's Day, y'all! And don't you ever forget Terry: you're the best!