Growing up we didn't have much. My mom worked many jobs just to make ends meet. She did her very best to give us the things we needed. She taught us girls and my brother to always take care of ourselves and not to depend on others. Even though we knew she was better off divorcing my sister and brother's dad, change was very scary for us three littles and we all were very upset with her. When she started dating my step dad, we first were a little hesitant. She knew him already because she went to high school and rode his bus as well. It didn't take long for all of us to warm up and fall in love with him too. I don't think I have ever saw him angry. He is a very mild mannered dad with a very funny side. He loves to tease the people that he loves. If he doesn't engage with you or tease you, he must not like you. It may take him a little time to get to know you before he warms up and teases you though. My step dad grew up on a farm with his dad and grandma raising him. He didn't have any brothers or sisters. You see, his mother passed away giving birth to him and he looked at his grandma as his mom. His dad was hard on him and I think that is why he is the total opposite dad. He worked in the coal mine for many years and still ran the farm. He also helped open and run a bar and beer distributor. My mom quit her job after they were married to run the bar. She made the bar/restaurant what is was. It was a wonderful place to eat and when they closed five years ago it devistated many patrons. My parents closed to enjoy retirement, their children and mostly their grandchildren. They still run the farm and probably always will. The love he has for all of us has been unconditional. He would give any of us kids ANYTHING we ask for, unfortunately my mom is his voice of reason so he wouldn't cave every time. You all know I lost my dad when i was 26, so when it was time for me to get married, I wanted him to be part of the ceremony too. I didnt want him to replace my dad, but he is so important that I had my mom and him walk me down the isle. I went to him after I left my first husband and asked if I was allowed to move back home. He said I absolutely could, but my mom thought it would be best if I didn't, if I stayed and tried harder. My step dad said, "how can we expect her to stay if we both have had failed marriages". Needless to say dad won that argument. When he came into this marriage with my mom, he had 2 small sons. Us five children say we are siblings, there is no step before our names and that is because our parents treat us each as their own and equally. Don't get me started on pap! My step dad is the best pap too. He is a winner as a dad but he is a champion as a pap! All the grandkids have to get pap something funny or heart warming for Christmas and they love when he teases them. He is a wonderful friend, husband, dad and pap and I don't know what us kids would do without him. He improved our lives when he married our mom. We all love his humor and his love for each of us and I would choose him all over again. That is another daily dose of T!