And you choose me every day, too.
We both have strong personalities, you and me, so it hasn’t always been easy. There were many times I resented your discipline and contested your very existence, but now I understand.
To choose someone means to never give up on them.
No matter how hard things got, no matter how much we fought and I protested, you felt a duty to be there for me. To challenge me, to teach me to be better, because you love me and because you are a man who doesn’t walk away when things get rough.
You never give up. You never had one foot out the door, and not only do I admire this, I can’t thank you enough.
Your smallest act of effort was worth more than the grandest intention from anyone.
I know it was difficult at times.
I know we argued a lot. It seems a relationship between stepdaughter and stepfather is always a complicated one, defined by lifelong adoration and momentary contempt.
I fought with you at inopportune times because I took you in as my father, and a relationship between father and daughter is never perfect.
It is not meant to be easy, calm seas and smooth sailing. It is meant to teach you something. It is meant to be a challenge, because caring for someone is not easy.
You never tried to be my friend — you were my parent, my teacher. You risked me hating you forever if it meant protecting me, or never letting me get away with slacking on my talents or putting in the effort towards being better. You wanted the best for me.