This whole "Father's Day" concept is kinda new to me. Up until I was 16 my mom and I always joked that it wasn't a real holiday, it was just a second Mother's Day.

Until it wasn't anymore.

There's this really cool person in my life now called my step-dad (kinda). I've never had a dad figure in my life before, so this whole parents thing was new to me. I mean parent even, my mom is basically my really immature older sister.

That is true. My mom makes penis jokes at me frequently. And they are not funny.

Anyways, back to what this is actually about…

Even though it took 16 years to realize it, I actually love having a dad. And it's way better that he came into my life a little later.

Obviously, most of my friends growing up all had fathers. One of them, when we were little, offered to share hers with me. But I was good without one. My mom and I have always been super close, practically like sisters.

My favorite part about having a dad now in my life is that I got to pick him. He's just like a regular dad, he tells cheesy jokes and he doesn't like any boy that talks to me. Best of all, he actually cares and loves me and my mom.

My lame friends that grew up with two parents always felt bad for me. I am so grateful that my dad came into my life when he did. I didn't need him at 3 to watch cartoons with me, I need him at 19 to talk to when I'm having a really bad day, or when I need advice. So many of my friends parents that have been there the whole time are fighting constantly and my friends worry about them getting divorced.

I don't have that fear in the slightest. I know my dad is there, I know he cares, he loves us and would do anything for us.

I don't feel like I missed out on anything because I didn't have a dad my whole life, I think the right pieces are just falling into place at the time they're meant to.

So while it make take me a bit to remember that Father's Day is a real holiday, and to get used to those cards because most of them are really weird, I will never forget how lucky I am to have him in my life now.