Ten-year-old daughter had her first period while I was at work.
Reacting fast, I calmed and comforted our daughter at this momentous life turning point. Not being her biological father, he stepped forward without hesitation, loving and caring for her like he would for his own child.
My daughter and husband were deep in conversation in the living room when I hurried home from work. With relief in her eyes at seeing me, my daughter hurried into my arms clutching a tiny packet of pads that my husband had picked up from the grocery.
Her voice was tinted with thanks, “He helped me figure everything out, Mom.”
I gazed at him proudly and gratefully for the amazing and kind man my husband was. He had welcomed the stepfather position and gone above and above to support our daughter at a pivotal time in her life.
Grabbing him tightly, I said, “Thank you.”
Warmly smiling, love flooded his eyes. Obviously, he said. “I’m always here for her.”
It was then that I understood our family was closer than it had ever been in terms of love, support, and unflinching commitment. In all that counts, my husband has proven himself to be a real parent to my daughter even if he is not her biological father.