Growing up, I never thought of you as a "stepdad" because you weren't anything but my daddy. You came into my life when I was months old and I never knew anything other than the fact that you were the only man in my life that was raising me like a father should. You and Mom showed me what a real family looked like and that was the most important thing to me. Yes, you are not a biological parent, but you are father.
You had to pass a few tests and jump through a few hoops to be able to hold the father title for me but it was Mom being protective like she always is. You never have and don't treat me any different than if I was your own blood child. Growing up, people didn't know any different because I had blue eyes and glasses just like you and some other features. We never took the time to explain to people our situation because it's none of their business and it's too long of a story anyways. Well actually, we never explained it to anyone because point blank, I am your daughter and you are my daddy.
You did everything a normal dad would do while I was growing up. You took me to the local daddy-daughter dances, you helped me ride a bike and picked me up whenever I would fall, you stood up for me whenever someone bullied me on the block, you convinced Mom to get me a Barbie jeep and that inflatable pool, you coached me in softball and helped me get better, you were my taxi driver for years, you taught me about cars and, most importantly, you gave me unconditional love and support for everything even if I did make you mad.
When my adoption came around, I remember being the happiest fourth grader alive because I finally had your last name and not that awful old last name. You, Mom and I were finally and officially established. At the adoption party, I remember hugging you so tight when we had our first official daddy-daughter dance because it was the best thing that had ever happened to me and still is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Now that I am older, you still bring me up when I am down, you've done a good job at deciding if I am dating the right boy, you help me with car troubles or any troubles I am in, we appreciate and love similar things such as the new "Star Wars" movie, making trouble and annoying Mom. You are not and never will be my stepdad. You are my father, my daddy and the most important man in my life. I love you so much and I can't thank you enough for walking into my life when you did and staying forever. I wouldn't trade my decision for the world.
