Dad, Not Stepdad

I guess I just haven't realized it,

How much you have done for me.

But giving my mom that ring,

Meant you'd get me too.

Hesitant at first,

I didn't know you.

How could I possibly have two of you?

You were around more and more,

Showing up to all of my soccer games,

Taking me to school,

I was still young and innocent.

He might have been my "real" dad,

But you proved to be more of father figure

Than he ever was.

And then one day there were no longer two of you.

Just you.

But I knew I didn't want it any other way;

I would never go back to such negativity.

I had never experienced such hard times,

But ever since then

Our family grew stronger day by day.

Now here we are 9 years later.

I'm leaving for college in less than 4 months

And writing this as a remembrance 

To how far I've come with you by my side.

All I can say now is thank you.

Thank you for all of the life lessons you have taught me

And most importantly,

Thank you for being my dad.