Anything with the word "step" in front of it can be connotated as scary. I know that when people would ask who the man was next to my mom, I would simply say dad.

I remember that from a young age, everyone had an opinion on my decision to call my stepdad dad. I did not understand at the time because to me, he fulfilled all the categories of a dad. He lived with me, took me to Disneyland, would comfort me when I was sick, saved me the newspaper after he read it each morning, made me food, took me to an Aerosmith concert and spoiled me.

Get you a dad that buys Twilight movies for you because even though he thinks the movies are not good, he understands that you are obsessed with the series.

I understand that not everyone has great experiences with their stepparents but that does not mean that all are bad. In fact, I root for stepparents because they have such a crucial, confusing, and complicated role in their stepchildren's lives. Yet, my dad just grooves through it. His whole family loves me and considers me family. If it were not for my dad's side of the family, I would not have a grandpa or grandma. I would not have such caring aunts and uncles who comment on my Facebook posts. (I see you, Aunt Stella). I would not have cousins from different age ranges that I can hang with during family gatherings.

Not only that but he gets my music taste, except for Drake, he will skip Drake. He took me to my first concert ever which was so dope. I wanted to see Slash in concert so badly and finally, he was touring with Aerosmith, so we went shortly after I got back from my summer school program.

To me, my dad will always be my stepdad. It does not matter who your blood father is, if the person that is a strong male figure in your life, he is your dad. Blood or not, my dad will forever have my utmost respect. Happy Father's Day, dad!