Photo by Julio Duffoo Photography
This Father's Day I wanted to tell you about my awesome dad. I love my dad with all my heart. He really and truly is my hero. We don't share DNA, but we do share so much very much more. My biological father was not a great guy, his alcoholism prevented him from being a decent human being, let alone husband and father. When I was nine years old my mom left that dirtbag and for that I am eternally grateful.
A short while later she met the man of our dreams. He was younger and kinder and so much more responsible. He almost instantly loved my mom and my sister and I with all of his heart, and we loved him right back. Their second date was a family outing to see Bingo. My life went from tumultuous and stressful to stable and joyous, seemingly overnight. It wasn't long before my mom married this wonderful man, and just one year later he was able to legally adopt my sister and me. He saw me through puberty, high school, college, and beyond. He was there for me every step of the way, calming fears and fueling dreams.
Today we work together, I help him run his business and he plays with his grandsons while I do it. In our professional lives I am often mistaken for his wife (he is only 14 years my senior) but I love the chance to set them straight. I am overjoyed and full of pride to explain that this amazing man is my father, he adopted me, he chose to make me his. He coached my every sports team, attended my every recital, cleaned my puke, and wiped my tears. He taught me what a great father is, and in that way, helped me find one for my own children. I couldn't love him more if I tried.
He's not a huge fan of public affection, fanfare, and attention, but I needed to honor him in this space, for all he has given me. So today I say Happy Father's Day to my dad, the best father a gal could ever dream of.
Happy Father's Day Daddy, I love you.
