Dear Stepdad,

When you walked into our lives, I saw the light beam within my mom's eyes again. After years of being in a toxic marriage with my father, she needed you. We all needed the light and happiness that you were ready to so effortlessly bring us. For as long as I could remember, I wasn't sure about you. I wasn't quite sure about how I felt about you replacing my dad, or how I felt about loving you like I would my father, or the fact that you've been more of a dad to me than my biological one ever has been. But I needed to acknowledge that, and I have, but it sure as hell hasn't always been easy to accept.

I wasn't too sure about the ring on her finger either, but it was then when I realized that from the time she first met you, you were always making her so undeniably happy. I thought it was so strange that she was smiling all the time. And I've come to realize that now the only tears that roll down her cheeks, are those from laughing a little too hard. This was so foreign to me. Never had I realized before you came along what a healthy marriage looked like. But as I've grown up, I've come to understand that you two are the epitome of it.

When you married my mom, you married her little girls as well. You proposed to us on one knee on your wedding day and you promised to be the best step-dad you could possibly be. You also promised to love us as your own. Needless to say, you've done just that and perhaps so much more. It truly takes a man with a huge heart to be able to get married to three women, (even though two of them are under the age of eight), but you did it. You didn't run from my mom because she had us and you took the role of becoming a dad so seriously.

Through the years you've done so much for me. So much so that I can't imagine what my life would be like if you wouldn't have walked into it. One of the greatest gifts you've ever given me was helping me find my niche. In the beginning of your marriage, you helped me become a softball player. The more and more I played, the more I loved it. Little did my second-grade self know it at the time, but I was going to fall so deeply in love with this game. When I was getting wrapped up in practices, games, and tournaments, you were always there and you were always proud of me, and it was never a chore for you being there. I never had to wonder if you were going to be in the stands; I just always could count on you to be there. You've always been someone I can count on, and that is something I have forever appreciated having.

As I've grown up, I've watched the way you treat my mom; The way you guys are always so happy and the way she's always smiling, laughing, and completely content. I've noticed the way you communicate with each other, how you care for one another, and how much you love each other. My mom is so lucky to have you. Seeing this, has made me realize the kind of man I would like to be married to someday, and I now have a deeper understanding of how I deserve, and want to be treated because of the example you've set for me. You've raised us to be good people, and people who are loyal, have strong work ethics, and always do the right thing. You've taught me so many important life skills, been there for me through firsts, like teaching me how to ride a bike, wiping away my tears during my first break up, and continuously teaching me what is right from what is wrong. You've taught me so much more than you could possibly imagine, and without you, I don't know who and where I would be.

Nothing beats having your father be proud of you. So I thought. But when my stepdad's face beams with pride and his eyes fill with tears when you rope your first triple while you're playing on the 18u team - that is the best. Moving into college, watching him haul all your "crap" across campus, set up the furniture just the way you'd like it, and have him kiss the top of your head, and let you know he's proud of you - that is the best. Hearing him say he misses you, even at dinner time when you constantly never stopped talking - that is the best. Never having to wonder if my father will actually be there for me on my wedding day, but knowing my stepfather would be honored to take that spot - that is the best. Being called your daughter, and feeling, loving, and knowing that no matter how hard I can be, how lost I can get sometimes, or how much I feel like I can tackle this world on my own, that you will be there, as my dad, without any questions asked, loving me unconditionally, even when I mess up; That is the best.

You've brought us so much, you've given me another Grandpa, a few more Aunts, Uncles, and four awesome cousins. We've created memories with them and these amazing people don't feel as if they aren't "family" just because we weren't made by you. Your family gelled so well with us and they even deserve credit for making me and my sister who we are today. We see them so often and we make such great memories with them. When I see you and Pop together, it all makes sense as to why you are who you are today and it makes me proud knowing that these people are our family too.

A stepdad doesn't have to be a dad. He didn't have his own kids before you came along, but he chose to love you like you're his own. But when I look at my stepdad, I refer to you as my dad. You act like my dad and you love me like you're my dad and you will walk me down the aisle one day as my dad. I chose you as my dad, and I would make that choice over and over again if I had to.

As I've grown up, I've realized the importance of having such an amazing bond with my stepfather. You met my mom by fate, you met her little girls by her choice, you captured our little hearts, and you became the best thing that's ever happened to our family (besides Sophie). Always remember that you are our dad, and we couldn't ask for a better one if we tried.

I love you always,

Me