I've only known you since I was 17. Only six years you've been in my life, but it honestly feels like a life time. So much has happened and so much had changed since the day we officially met. I say officially because I had already looked you up on casenet, stalked your Facebook, and Googled you. Mom didn't even know I did those things since she hadn't told me about you yet, I found out because I noticed she was talking on the phone all of the time, so one night when Gabriela was in volleyball and mom went in to pick her up, I unlocked her phone and saw "Mike" over and over. No last name, just Mike. That's when I went to mom's Facebook and searched her friends for all of the Mikes. I was able to rule them out by either seeing they were married, or just not in mom's age range.

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Even though it's only been six years, you've impacted my life tremendously. You've been my rock when I needed to cry about something. You've been there to give me advice that I have difficulty with. You've been there to laugh with me about stupid things. You still loved me during my awful attitude times. You still love me even though I'm not yours. You treat me like I'm your own child and you give me everything I need no matter what it is. You're always there to support me. I'm a better person because of you and your impact on my life. You've taught me so much.

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I will never get tired of when you answer mom's phone and pretend to have a funny voice and act like you don't know what's going on. You're such a dork and I love it. I never thought in a million years I would be able to love a step parent as much as I love you. I never thought I would tell a step dad "I love you" or just enjoy spending time in the living room sitting and talking with each other.

I will forever be thankful for you and all that you do for mom, Gabriela, Isaiah, and myself. You've showed me that it doesn't matter what your DNA consists of, it's the love you give. You have gave us kids so much love and support, even when we can be jerks. You've showed us that it doesn't matter that we aren't your biological kids, that you can still love us like you were. You're always there, you attend all of the baseball and volleyball games for the kids that you can even if that means driving hours away to support them. You never give up on us. You're constantly telling us how much you believe in us and how we can do anything. You still love us with all of our pros and cons, our ups and downs, and our highs and lows...that's what makes you a parent. As time goes on, the more that the prefix "step" just doesn't feel right. You're a father.

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People always complain about their parents getting a divorce and how awful it is, but not me. Obviously divorce is not something people want to happen, but it's not something to be embarrassed about. It was one of the best things that has happened in my life. Because of my parents divorce, I gained an extra dad. I gained an extra person in my life who loves me unconditionally. Because of my parents divorce, I have two biological parents who are truly happy. I would rather have my parents separated and happy, than together and unhappy. I have been able to see my dad grow and be happy by growing close with my grandpa, and I watched my mom find somebody who she can sit on the couch with and laugh with uncontrollably.

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Thank you, Mike. Thank you for coming into my life and being an extra dad to me. Thank you for loving my mom unconditionally. Thank you for loving myself, Gabriela, and Isaiah like we are your own children. I love you.