Happy Birthday, Dad!!!!

When I was almost six years old, my mom got remarried.  My biological father had disappeared, and my mom raised me and my brother for five years on her own.  I didn't know this person she was marrying as they had only dated for a short time before they were married.  During the reception at our house, my mom told me they were going away for a short time (on their honeymoon).  What?  Going away?  My mom had always been there, and now she was going away with this guy?

I gave my stepdad a lot of grief as I was growing up and going through the teenage years.  I gave him the whole you're-not-my-dad routine.  I never felt close to him while I was young.  I changed my tune at some point during my college career.  I'm not sure when or why exactly; I just remember starting to really enjoy sitting and talking with him on the deck at our house when I'd be home from college.  I grew up and realized he was the best dad I could have asked for.  Granted he had issues to deal with as do we all, but I sure didn't make it easy on him.

My biological father was not father material from what I understand.  I mean, come on, he abandoned his wife and two very young children.  I am glad he left.  I'm sure I would be in a different place right now if he had stayed.  What I got instead was a man who chose to become a father to two children who weren't his own.  He raised us from the time we were 6 and 7 years old.  He is just as much of a dad as he would be if we were blood related.

Today is his birthday, and I want everybody to know how special he is, how blessed I feel to have him in my life and in the lives of my children.

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!!