The Man I Call Dad

Today is Father’s Day.  I have read a million posts about how everyone says they have the best father.  I am not here to argue.  After all my biological father… well, he is not the best.  He sucks.  Sperm donor is a the best phrase.  In fact, he deserves no more explanation.

There is the other guy… the one that I call Daddy.  He is my best dad.  For 29 years (yes, I’m 31, do the math) he has showed me unconditional love.

There have been moments of disagreement.  There have been a lot of moments of disagreement.  There have been moments where he was disappointed.  Like when I lied about “babysitting” when I was a freshman so that I could “go out on New Year’s Eve.  Or the time I got caught shoplifting a bracelet from Kohl’s.  Let’s be honest here, I was a pain in the ass from from 14-18 (and yes I know it will all come back to haunt me).  He still loved me through all of this.  He still called me daughter even though I was not his blood.

There is a story…
I’m adopted… well half way.
My mom got pregnant in college.
My sperm donor dashed.
My mom was a rockstar and raised me on her own until I was 2.

In 1986, she met a man.
He was 28 and in his prime.
He was handsome.
He was kind.
He was patient- and still is.
He agreed to take me as his own.
I am fully aware that often times dating a woman with a child is looked down upon.

Not only did he date my mom.
He married her.
And gained a stepdaughter?
No!
He was in for the long haul- he adopted me.
My mom was not the only one that took his last name… I did too!
He was my daddy.
I was his little girl.

I probably don’t thank him enough.
What he did was not easy.
He often times forgets… he forgets that we are not blood.
Because in this story, blood is not thicker than water…LOVE is the ultimate winner.

I love my Daddy.
We share 0 DNA and that is okay.
He stepped up when someone else was too afraid.

Thank you, Dad for your unconditional love.
For your patience.
For supporting me… always even if you didn’t agree.
And for knowing when to let go, when to step in and helping me get to where I am today.
I love you!

Happy Father’s Day to the man I call Dad… and my kids call Grampsy.