I have spent a lot of time wondering why my dad did not think I was good enough. Why did he never find the time for me? Why did I spend so many hours waiting for him, and he never showed? It turns out, he's the one that missed out. I did not miss out. I spent years searching crowded rooms wondering if he was going to show up this time. Looking back, I should have been paying closer attention to the ones who were there.
So, this is for you. This is for the men that stayed. This is for the men that I overlooked and mistreated along the way, because I was only looking for my "dad". Looking back, I realize that I did not have one man that did all of the "dad' stuff, I had a whole dad army! So, thank you, dad army!
Uncle Ben- Thank you for every single thing you've done for me. I spent a lot of time wondering why Kelsey got so lucky to have a daddy like you. What I did not realize is that you treated me like your own daughter, too. Thank you for taking me to the circus and the carnival and the rodeo. Thank you for taking me out to dinner with your family, and for taking me to sign up for softball (even though I was horrible and it didn't last lol). Thank you for loving my daughters like your own grandchildren.
Uncle Dave- Thank you for being the only person I would let take out my splinters. Thank you for changing my earrings, and for always coming to my school performances. Thank you for being my safe place. Thank you for going on vacations with me and Alex and thank you for always bringing my girls a little surprise when you come to see us. Thank you for all of the laughs, memories, and love that you've given me.
Uncle Ed- Thank you for making me laugh every single time I saw you. Thank you for teaching me to dance like no one was watching, and for always reminding me how smart I am. I wish so much that you could be here today. I miss you so much, and I love you tremendously.
Uncle Gene- Thank you for teaching me to drive, and not letting me get by with being anything but great.
Uncle Chris- Thank you for always challenging me. If I didn't have you to argue with all those years, I may not be the expert arguer that I am today (LOL)!
Andrew- I can't write a post about the men in my life and forget about the first baby that stole my heart. Andrew Shane, thank you for being you. Thank you for letting me love you like my own baby even though I was still a baby myself. Thank you for always smiling and being a light for me in this world. I am so proud of you.
Papaw- There are not enough words in the English language to properly thank you. You are my number one man. You are the rock of this family, and the man I look up to the most. No matter what I have ever done, you have been proud of me and loved me. Thank you for Sunday dinners, and never getting mad at me when I didn't clean my plate. Thank you for stern lectures and loving glances. Thank you for showing me what true love looks like. Thank you for loving my mamaw so much that it was contagious. I love you so much.
Brandon- Every little girl needs a big brother to watch out for her. Thank you for taking on the role of my protector. Thank you for always being a shoulder to cry on, and for always being willing to scare the crap out of any boy that looked at me. Thank you for never judging me and always being there to lend an ear. Thank you for being the one that scared Alex when we started dating, but accepted him with open arms when you saw how wonderful he is. Thank you for everything.
Bob- Thank you for loving a woman who already had two kids and not even thinking twice about it. Thank you for loving me like your own daughter, and never making me feel any less. Thank you for taking on the role that my "real dad" could not handle, and thank you for never making it look like a hard task. Thank you for never getting angry with me when I went on my teenage drama-filled hissy fits, and thank you for protecting me. Thank you for tucking me in at night and for helping me with me homework. You deserve the title of dad.
Andy- Thank you for accepting me as your daughter when I married your son. Thank you for always going above and beyond for me, and thank you for being an example of what a dad should be. Thank you for gushing over every meal I make like it was the best thing you've ever eaten. Thank you for always showing up and for always being happy to be there. Thank you for all that you do.
Jonathan- Thank you for changing. Thank you for showing me that men are capable of change. Thank you for becoming a better man, and thank you for becoming my friend and my brother.
Alex- The biggest thank you of all goes to you. Thank you for loving a broken girl and staying with her as it carried into being a broken woman. Thank you for accepting the issues that I have and loving me through them. Thank you for being the best daddy in the whole world to our little girls. Thank you for holding me as I cried over "dad" and reminding me what I am worth. Thank you for always picking me up when I start to fall, and thank you for holding me until I can stand on my own again. It's not easy to love a woman with "daddy issues" but you never make it seem like a chore. You are my biggest blessing. I love you so much.
Tony, "dad" - Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for giving me a sister, and thank you for making me realize my strength. I hope some day you find yourself.
Sincerely,
Steph
