God gave me you!

When I was 17, I met my first husband and we had 4 kids together. We had our 1st child when I was 21 and our last when I was 32. He was the only family I had. Sadly our marriage ended.  He left for many reasons but ultimately started living his own life, living freely without responsibilities. The role of a father was left empty and ultimately I became the Mom & Dad for years.   

I did find love again after spending time taking care of the kids and focusing on myself. I would casually date but nothing more.  My son was in college, so it was just me and my 3 girls for awhile. I don’t think my kids remember when their step dad walked into their life.  But they do remember how he made them feel and how he treated me. The kids were protective and territorial of me. I let them know I had a date and they watched him open the car door for me. They said he was a gentleman, but to me he was just a guy I was enjoying a night out with. “It was just dinner,” I would say to him and the kids. I don’t even remember the day it changed. I also don't remember what life was like without him. Immediately I felt at home with him, he also became protective and territorial of me. He is the family I needed and prayed for.

He slowly became my kids' Dad, and he accepted this challenging role. I was a package deal and I am extra like guacamole. 

Not only do stepparents make a single parent believe in love again, they also embrace their children as their own. In our case, my husband had no experience with children but he was about to get an instant family. I don’t know how he did it, but I know it was fueled by love and a desire to show me & the girls that men can and will provide for a family and be the King they deserve. 

He showed up for everything for us. He was there for all the things! He opened doors for us, made dinners and put fear into boyfriends the girls came home with. He brought us back to Patterson, the girls hometown so they can go to school where they grew up. He commutes 4 hours a day so they could have the best life in the town they love. 

My husband saw each kid off to the military or college. He moved them out and settled them into their new homes. When they get married they will choose a wonderful man like him, and he will walk them down the aisle with tears in his eyes. 

What our kids didn’t see behind closed doors was that he struggled to learn to parent children who weren't his own, all while he was mending my broken heart. He was not expecting to fall in love with a Mother of 4. I was not expecting the life I had created to crumble. I was broken, battered and abused. I felt alone and worthless for so long. 

My Husband has brought life into the hearts of our children and mine. He has  shown us the deepest, purest form of love there is—that of a father and husband.

My husband never thought of our kids as a burden. He and his entire family embraced us all since day one.  To my husband the kids were an added bonus. These are not just my kids, they are ours and you know what? Their stepdad is their Father. He is who they celebrate on Fathers day.

It's not easy to inherit kids when you start a new relationship, but he blended into our family perfectly.  We love you Scott and are forever grateful for your acceptance and love.