💌 A love letter to the dads & stepdads
Because Father’s Day can hit stepfamilies hard.
From dads who aren’t allowed to see their kids to stepdads whose role goes completely unrecognized, Father’s Day emotions in stepfamilies can run the full spectrum.
I've seen the pain of my bio daughter on Father’s Day, whose dad largely checked out of her childhood. I've also seen Dan’s heartbreak, watching him fight so damn hard to just be a dad to his own kid.
On the other hand, I’ve also seen Dan and my BD form a new relationship that we can celebrate on Father’s Day. Dan is BD's #1 cheerleader, and BD is Dan's #1 fan. Dan can't replace her dad and BD doesn't replace Dan's daughter — but together, the two of them do get to enjoy an uncomplicated father-daughter relationship: with each other. And that’s such a beautiful thing.
Our blended family most often feels like we survived some mega crazy shit by the skin of our teeth. Yet where Dan and my kid intersect, there's this little pocket of peace and joy and cuteness that reminds me of all the reasons why I committed to this roller coaster in the first place.
Sending lots of love to all the dads and stepdads today. Thanks for being here, and thanks for all that you do.
🧡🧡
— Maarit.