Dear Step-Dad,

The biggest regret in my life is not having you in my life sooner. I never had that dad who pushed me to do my best and I never had that overprotective father that scared all my boyfriends away. I’ve never seen my mother as happy than when sees you. My brother never knew what it was like to have a father who actually wanted to spend time with him until you came around. All I want to say to you is thank you.

I will admit I was cautious of you at first. You loomed tall over our short family and your silence intimidated me a bit. Although the second I saw the smile you put on my mother’s face, I knew you’d fit in just fine. You’re just as goofy as us and even more loving. You often take stuffed animals and use silly voices to cheer up my mom and that means the world to me. I shout “GROSS” whenever y’all kiss but I never saw that kind of love and affection happen with the man she married. You push not only me but my siblings as well. You support my sister through her newfound adulthood more than anybody does. Sometimes I get annoyed with her but you remind me of what a great role model I have in my life. You also push my brother to be a real man. You get through to him in a way only a father can and I cannot thank you enough for that.

I never knew what a real father looked like. My biological father was gone when I was 11-months-old and my first step-father left right before my teens. My first step-father sat at the computer and barely acknowledged me. I thought that was normal but you showed me that it wasn’t. You spoiled me a lot at first and it was like having the childhood I never had. I was being shown the attention a daughter needed from her father. You somehow put up with my green hair and diva moments. You even called me beautiful on my prom night even though my makeup artist made me look like a drag queen. I called you crying from college about that guy you hate and you were the only person who made me smile that day. You taught me countless things. You taught me how to stand with pride but also how to stay humble.I learned how to fix AC’s and how to properly cook hamburger helper from you. I can be myself and joke about frat boys with you. You showed me what a real man looks like and I hope I can marry a guy who’s just like you. Slowly but surely, you found your place in our hearts.

As we accepted you into our family, your family accepted us into theirs. I never had a family this big but I love it. I love seeing my new cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents almost every weekend. I was so nervous meeting them but I was greeted with hugs and countless baked treats from Nana. Along with the 5 pounds I gained from all those Sunday lunches, I gained a new family that I am proud to call mine.

If only I had known how much you would mean to me and my family when I was 17, I would’ve had you adopt me the very first day I met you. I would’ve taken your last name and worn it with pride. Even though it’s a little too late to adopt me, I still point to you and say “That’s my dad," because you are. You stepped up and loved me when you didn't have to and I am extraordinarily grateful that God dropped you into my life.