You put a roof over my head,

You make sure I’m always fully and happily fed.

You hold me when someone makes me cry,

You wipe my tears and squeeze me tight, asking if we need to hurt the guy.

You proposed to my mom when I was a little girl, only four,

You gave me a ring too, knowing you had just committed to much, much more.

Since that day you’ve never missed a moment of my life,

I don’t know where I’d be today if you had never made my mom your wife.

You’re a rock in my life and I call you “Bill”,

What a funny thing to call someone who would do anything for me, I know you will.

You are my Step-Parent, Step-Father, Step-Dad,

Labels that all make me outrageously, unfathomably, and inexplicably mad.

I don’t have your clear blue eyes,

Instead I have your friendly personality that loves to make others smile.

I don’t have your translucently fair skin or reddish blonde hair,

But I have your never-ending optimism that looks for the best in everyone, everywhere.

My green eyes, freckled nose, and quick feet are not yours,

Which never stopped you from going to all my soccer games, even if you did think they were a bore.

Our outside appearances could not be more different,

But you have made me into the person I am today, your impact in my life is so significant.

You have taught me to be kind, proud, and humble,

You’re always there to pick me up when I forget to be, and I happen to stumble.

There is nothing in the world you would not do for me,

So when someone refers to you as my dad I just smile and happily agree.

You are not my Step-Dad, my Step-Parent, or my Step-Father,

You're the person who will one day be holding my arm as you walk me down the aisle.

I call you by your first name because we are not blood related,

But being a good role model and father to me is something you have never contemplated.

You have set my standards for a future husband extremely high,

I want him to be just like you--giving, trustful, unable to tell a lie.

It all comes down to one thing, you see,

I want my future husband to be at least half the man you didn't have to be.

Happy Father's Day to the best dad by choice,

I love you more than any words or poem could possibly voice.