I know it was difficult at times.
I know we argued a lot. But a relationship between daughter and stepfather is always a complicated one, defined by lifelong adoration and momentary contempt.
I fought with you at inopportune times because I took you in as my father, and a relationship between father and daughter is never perfect. It is not meant to be easy; calm seas and smooth sailing. It is meant to teach you something. It is meant to be a challenge, because caring for someone is not easy.
You never tried to be my friend – you were my parent, my teacher, and took the risk for me to hate you forever if that meant protecting me, teaching me, never letting me get away with slacking on my talents or putting in effort towards being better. You wanted the best for me.
I will always feel safe with you.
And there is no greater gift you can give me. You’re the one man in my life who I know I will always be able to count on. Through everything, you were able to embrace and see that it was your job to not leave when things get hard. That mom and I were worth fighting for.
You never once let any circumstances be an excuse to stop being there for me – you were selfless, you put mom and I first. You took me in, the biggest responsibility that one can have, with such strength and integrity, and never once when we fell on hard times did I feel like you might leave.
You remained a stable and consistent figure in my life and you taught me that that sometimes, life is not a straight line. Sometimes, good things fall apart so better things can fall together.
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