I was about one and a half when I met my dad. An extremely weird sentence, I know, but my dad and I don’t have a conventional start to our relationship. My dad is technically my “step-dad,” but he was the man who raised me and taught me so many life lessons. I had a big wake-up call recently and was told not to take the people who love and support me for granted. So here I am, appreciating one of those people.
I never knew my biological father. He made the choice not to get to know me when I was only six weeks old. A lot of my life has been spent pouring energy into a person I never knew. Wondering if I was different, would he have wanted me? You know how people say you can feel your frontal lobe developing as a joke? That’s how I feel now. After I was told a few things that made me spiral about my biological family, I was told not to take the ones who were there for me for granted. That opened my eyes, and I felt like I woke up. I realized I was pouring so much energy into people who didn’t truly care for me and was putting the people who loved me on the back burner. My dad is one of those people. His birthday is actually very soon, so I figured I would write him something to let him know how much I love and appreciate him.
When I first met my dad, it was my parents’ first date at a mall. My mom told him I was super shy and probably wouldn’t talk to or interact with him. I ended up holding his hand the entire time. Since then, he’s been my biggest supporter and cheerleader. He never misses an opportunity to brag on me or tell people I’m studying to be a doctor. He has always had this weird knowing feeling about me succeeding, even when I feel like a failure.
My dad worked in the oil industry up until I was around seven years old. This meant I didn’t get to see him a lot since he had to travel for work. I remember one day in kindergarten or first grade when I was so excited for him to come home. He ended up not being able to come that day, and I was devastated. I had been playing softball and dancing around this time, and his job meant that he was never able to come to any of my events. When I was seven, he decided to start his own business just to be there for me and my sister. He has been at almost every single event, big or small, ever since.
My dad has never let me down. He is always there for me, and I am so grateful for him. He tells me he would work double what he does just to support my education. He is honest with me when I need it and helps me see the reality of situations. He has also taught me to recognize my privilege in the world and how to view things from others’ perspectives. I owe a lot to my dad, but knowing him, he would never accept anything in return for his selflessness. My dad isn’t a “step-dad” to me; he is the dad who stepped up for me.