An Open Letter to the Man Who Raised Me

You stepped up when my biological father not only could not, but would not raise me. You did not have to, you chose to. I am forever grateful that you chose not only my mom, but ultimately me and my sisters as well. You are the best thing that has ever happened to us. You started dating my mom when I was three, and then moved in when I was seven, so you have been around for as long as I can remember. You are not a step parent, you are far more than that, you are the one who raised me; you are my dad. We have definitely had our fair share of fights, but who has not fought with their parents? Although we went a year without speaking to each other, I am so happy to not only have my dad back in my life, but for my daughter to have her Papa as well. You have taught me so much, from teaching me how to take care of myself to how to take care of my vehicles. You have always been there for me no matter what and have always been supportive of every single one of my ideas even if it was crazy (although I am sure I got most of them from you). “Just do what makes you happy”, you always say anytime I change my mind about something, and let’s be honest I do that a lot. You were not exactly supportive of me moving out and then getting married, and while I didn’t understand then, I understand why you were that way now. I was, and always will be your baby and you did not want me to do something I might regret later on in life.

As I said I am happy we have reconciled because, you were there to put me back together after “the father” broke my heart time and time again, and not only were you there when a boy broke my heart for the first time, but you made time and took me for a dad/daughter day in Oklahoma City to let me know that that boy was not worth my tears. At one point I was closer to you than I was with mom; you were always there when she and I fought. We would spend hours watching movies or working on my truck and although we did not have to talk to enjoy each-others company, if we did it was usually a meaningful conversation or something for me to tell stories about later. Thank you is insufficient to convey my gratitude but I will say this; overall, you are an amazing dad, and any girl would be blessed to have you. I love you!