God bless the Bonus Dads

He is a very special man. He stepped in and stepped up.

He’s often not on the Father’s Day Facebook post that says “Happy Father’s Day”. Seldom does he open a Father’s Day Card.

He’s not always in the “family” photo. He may even be the one taking the pictures.

It makes him no difference because he just loves them. His actions tell them so.

They are his bonus kids. They were born from his wife’s womb but the title “Stepdad” came later, when he married their mom. He’s most often called by his first name.

DNA does not make anyone a Dad just as neither does the name on the birth certificate. Father is the man at conception. Dad is the man who steps up and shows up, often when a father forgets where he needs to be.

He took the vow to love and to cherish his bonus kids as well as their mom until death would take him away from her . . . and the kids.

He’s written many a check when the “real” father forgot(?) to send one.

He’s been the man waiting, in line and then in a hard chair, to hear the kids sing a few songs in a school program. “Dad” may or may not have shown up but their bonus dad would not miss it for anything.

He tells his friends about his bonus daughter or son getting accepted into college. He packed his car with their stuff and helped their mom tuck them into their college dorm. He shared a few tears with their mom as they drove home.

He’s watched the little girl, that he helped to raise, dance with her “Dad” on her wedding day. She wore the dress the bonus dad bought her. He just sat quietly and smiled…and wiped tears of both joy and pride.

He took the call for help when his bonus son had a flat tire. The son knew who would show up at a moment’s notice.

It seemed like forever when he waited up for his bonus son to arrive home from his date. Why is it that five minutes after curfew seems like an eternity? Yes, he wanted to strangle him and hug him at the same time.

He can be heard talking about them and saying “our” kids.

Like I said at the beginning of this column. He stepped in and he stepped up. He is the Bonus Dad.

God bless those who often do not get the recognition they deserve. Happy Father’s Day to all the Bonus Dads. I hope you feel the love that you deserve from those who are blessed to call you their Bonus Dad.