To my "Surrogate dads," thank you.
Lately, I've begun referring to you as my "surrogate dads." Why? Because that's what you are to me. Though I don't usually say it, as I am not the affectionate type, I need you in my life. I would never have gotten to where I am now without you. You've stepped up and cared for me when my own father has not. You've nurtured, loved and supported me and I love you so, so much for that.
Thank you for picking up the pieces.
Have you ever heard the song "Piece by Piece" by Kelly Clarkson? In the chorus, she sings these lyrics, and they always remind me of you:
Piece by piece he restored my faith
That a man can be kind and a father could stay
When I made the hard decision to end any contact with my father, you helped me through every minute of it. From daily let-downs and break-downs, to unpleasant court hearings, you've been there to pick me up. Though my mom is and forever will be my best friend, sometimes all I wanted was a father. So thank you, thank you for letting me cry all over your brand new polo shirt, and thank you for showing me that a father can stay.
Thank you for supporting me.
Though you couldn't make it to every volleyball game, band concert and dance recital, you've gone to as many events as you could. So even though my dancing can sometimes be awkward and clumsy, you sat through seemingly endless recitals just to be there. That means so much to me, the way you can drop what you're doing just to watch me flounder around on a stage or on the court. You've given me support and encouragement, and not many people can say they have that in their lives.
Thank you for being a role model.
My idea of what a father is supposed to be like has always been a bit hazy and distorted, but you have managed to clear some of it up for me. My father has always been bad at proving that he cares about me, even though he frequently claims to. Thank you for teaching me that actions speak louder than words, and for showing me that a father should always try his hardest to show his love for his daughter. There has never been a time that I have doubted your love for me, and this makes up for so much that my father has left behind.
Finally, thank you for loving me.
I am not your daughter. But with the way you treat me, I feel like I am. Not many people would be willing to treat another child as if they were their own, so I think that this makes you such a tremendous person. Many girls grow up not knowing their fathers, and while I do know mine, I'd never believed I'd ever have a great and consistent male role model. You've proven to me that fathers can be so much more than just phone calls and empty promises, and I know that no matter what happens in the future, I can always count on you.
