From the moment I first met you, I just knew. I knew you were something special. The way your eyes lit up when you first saw me, the way my heart skipped a few beats. Remember that feeling we talk about when you hear something and your heart drops to your stomach? When I first heard you speak, that's what happened.
I can't even remember what you said because I was so amazed by the way your eyes still twinkled in the darkness. You held the door open for Rae and I when we went to eat, went and got a high chair as if it was your responsibility. From that day you and Rae had an unbreakable bond, just like you and I have.
You picked up her binky and toy everytime she threw them just so you'd go get them, you didn't care if she was making you play fetch. I kept telling you I'll get them or don't worry about it, but you were happy to. You probably rinsed her binky off no less than 3 times and I'm sure your food was cold by the time you actually got to eat it.
You kept looking at me and I couldn't help but smile and giggle because I had butterflies in my stomach, yeah those things, that I thought were a cliche. You told Rae goodbye first and told me how cute she was over and over. You made sure to tell me to text you as soon as you got home before I left and you were relieved when you knew we made it safe, and you continue to do so to this day. I appreciate all that you do for us. You're her father, blood or not.
You're the man she calls daddy, and that's her own doing, as you know. You teach her, actually, you're the one who sings ABC's with her and the reason she can say a bunch of letters! You help her when she can't do something, such as putting her cookie back together that she broke in half.
You comfort her, everytime she gets hurt you're there to swoop her up before me and assure her it's okay and kiss where it hurts (or doesn't, because we both know she's a faker!) You love my child as your own. I love that you chase her around at the park because she thinks it's funny, but you also don't want the bigger kids to accidentally run her over.
She loves you more than she loves anyone else (besides me). She is half of the reason I love you. You always want to do something that will make Rae happy, you don't care we stay in almost 99.9% of everytime you're here because we have Rae, and you WANT us to stay home with her because you love quality time. I love you because Rae loves you and because you love her. Blood or not, YOU are her father. She calls you her Daddy, I tried and you've tried to stop it. But in all reality, you are. You do so much for her, most importantly you give her love and that's the best thing a father could ever give a child. So thank you, for not only loving me, but love Rae as your own. She's not just mine anymore.... she's ours, half mine, half yours. ♡
