father * dad * papa * pops * daddy * padre

Today is Father's Day.  A day to celebrate all the dads in your life, and the wonderful ways they provide, teach, share.  The things they do behind the scenes for us, of which we may never know.  Obviously I love and am grateful for my own dad, but Father's Day has become extra special to me these past few years because of my husband and his kids.

You will never hear a little girl saying, "I can't wait to grow up and be a step-mom!"  Come on, I mean villains in fairy tales are evil step-mothers half the time!  Personally, though, being a stepmom is the greatest gift Harry has ever given me - probably the best gift I've ever gotten.  Period.

No, I did not give birth to them.  I was not there when they took their first steps.  I am not their mom and could never replace her - but, I love them like they are my flesh and blood.  Of course, it's been a learning process for all of us...finding our way to become a new family.  It's not all roses.  Life is messy.  That's just the way it is.  It's like the country song says "Life ain't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride."  Through the growing pains, we are evolving - maybe not into the 'nuclear family' with mom, dad, and 2.1 kids, but into something greater - dad and stepmom, mom and stepdad, brothers, sisters, step-siblings, cousins, grandparents, friends - a whole new definition of what it means to be a family.  It's an wild and crazy experience I wouldn't change for the world.

So maybe it's selfish, but today, on Father's Day, I want to say thank you to Harry for letting me experience parenthood with him - and Sam and Mike for coming along for the ride - because without you, I wouldn't get to be me.  Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, and to everyone who makes those men who they are.