Fio - that's lovely. It's lovley that you feel that way and it's also lovely because it;s made me sit and thank about mine.
If we're bigging up step-dads mine definitely needs a shout.
He came into my life when I was 16. He's always been so careful not to step on the toes of my real dad or make me feel like he's taking the place of my real dad.
He's never shouted or raised his voice at anyone. If he's ever been cross, and I gave him good reason at 16 years old(!) then he always talked calmly and tried to resolve the situation fairly.
He's taken on my sisters OCD which has made her house-bound and virtually unable to come down the stairs for dinner. He has supported my mother through this and has stood outside the bathroom door for hours tempting my sister out of there when she gets 'trapped'.
He's also coped with a bitter and nasty ex-wife who although left him can?t accept the fact that he has moved on.
He has coped with his own daughter being a self-harmer,her various attempts at suicide and being sectioned and now living in a half -way home, the fact that she?s told us she?s taken heroin and crack and being arrested, and taken to court for breaking into an office to steal stuff.
He's amazing with Charlotte and is the most attentive and loving granddad. He lights up when he sees her and she does the same when she sees him. It melts my heart.
He adores my mum and has made her so happy. He calls her 'B' for beautiful and leaves her notes telling her he loves her.
He always gives me the biggest hugs and tells me how proud I make him.
He's generous. He's sweet. He's kind.
He's one of the best things that ever happened to me and I love him more than I could ever tell him.
Thanks God for that man!