We’ve all been told that life is the greatest gift we could receive, but mine was the gift of Steve. While Steve may legally hold the title of my “stepfather”, he is my dad in my eyes.
Steve has been in my life since I was three years old. He officially met my mother and I at the post office. My mother wore a blue sundress and mine had sunflowers on it. From the moment they met, it was undeniable they were meant for each other. My mother shared with me that within the first month of them dating, I told her she had to marry him. I’m so glad I did. Steve has become the greatest gift I’ve ever received.
My parental situation as a child isn’t the easiest to explain, but all you need to know is that it was messy. I was confused and simply felt alone. I’ve always loved Steve, but from the age of 13 to 16, the idea of a stepfather didn’t make sense to me. I pushed Steve away in every way possible. I thought he was trying to take my biological fathers place, but that was never true. Steve always wanted me to love him, in spite of everything he had put me and my mother through. Steve never gave up on me. He never stopped showing me the love that a real father should show his daughter. Steve always had four core words to say when I was a kid; every night when we would pray, he’d pray that I’d grow up to be kind, honest, generous, and thoughtful. He taught me to work fearlessly for the things I want. To never give up. He taught me that nothing is worth doing if you’re not going to put your heart and soul into it.
Steve puts his heart and soul into everything he does. He always tells me that Joseph is who he lives to emulate in life, because he was the first stepfather. He has never treated me as anything less than his real daughter. He always said that alongside my mother, I was the other love of his life. He’s been my sounding board, a shoulder to cry on, and honestly anything I’ve ever needed. He and my mother Gunilla were in the front row of every volleyball game I ever played. He’s traveled with me all over the country to play the game I love. He has seen me in my brightest and darkest moments, and has always loved me all the same.
Steven Pratt is my father, and I have no idea what I did to deserve him. He loves Jesus and walks with Him in every step he takes. He has shown my mother the kind of love she has always deserved in life. I find myself holding back tears every time I watch them together, because their love for one another is so unconditional and pure. I watch them hysterically laugh together, and can feel the love in the room from the world they created.
So, yes, Steve may not have given me the gift of life. But, Steve gave me the gift of him, and that is a debt I will never be able to repay.
I love you dad. One of the biggest reasons I am who I am, is because of you.
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