You get lucky if you can say that you have a father who would take on the world for you. You get even luckier if you can say that you have a step-dad who provides the most unconditional love you could ever ask for.

My mother's eyes light up so bright when she talks about you. You have taught her so many lessons - including patience and the art of fun (love you mom). You treat her like the queen she is, and quite frankly, I haven't seen her this happy in years. You saved her from dark times, and I could never thank you enough for that. She's not the only one who has been impacted by you, though.

Freshman year I was scared, I was insecure and hurt from past issues. I was reserved and quiet, and spent more time wondering what others thought of me than what I thought about myself. My mom told me it broke your heart to see me in the condition I was in. Despite barely knowing me, you did everything you could to change this. Fast-forward to senior year - my graduation day. I walked across the stage, head held high with more confidence than I have ever possessed in my life. I knew who I was in that moment and what I wanted to become in the future.

Without you, I probably would have never found myself and grown out of my shell. There are things in life that I can say to you that I would never dare say to anyone else. When I am upset, you comfort me with hugs and supportive words, and when I mess up you never yell at me. You are calm and understanding despite my stupid decisions. You taught me to become my own person and to stand firm in what I believe. Your expectations for me keep me grounded, and allow me to motivate myself to always be better than the person that I was yesterday.

There is nobody else that I would rather argue with, take midnight McDonald's runs with, share secrets with, or laugh with than you. Despite everything you go through, you make sure that my mother and I are taken care of. You are selfless, funny, loving, compassionate, understanding, and everything that I can only strive to be one day. You keep us sane in our times of struggling and hurt. And despite everything that I have written thus far, a letter like this could never begin to surpass the words that I wish I could say about you.

Love is patient, love is kind. Love overcomes even the hardest challenges in life. When I was deprived of compassion and I was constantly doubted, you showed me that there was so much potential in myself that I had yet to see. You have been more like a father to me in the last four years that I have known you than most could be in an entire lifetime. For this I thank my lucky stars that I had the opportunity to meet you. So thank you, for everything.

I love you.