I met my wife when her (my) son was five. He sent me this link today. I have never introduced him as my step son, ever. He's my boy. My precious young man is 28 now with his own family. Damned country music and it's onion delivery services got me in the chest again. I love my boy! I'm proud to be his Dad.

On Saturday we're saying goodbye to my daddy. Sixty years ago my parents brought me home from the adoption agency as a little six week old baby. He was a farmer and as he went about his day on our farm, I was his little shadow. His patience was endless as he'd wait for my little legs to catch up with his long strides no matter how busy he was. He never complained about my endless chatter and always stopping to take the time to answer my endless questions. My parents were always very open about me being adopted and shared with me what they knew about my birth parents. They told me that my mother was only 17 and was British and that my father had been been born in Italy. One evening when I was 9 years old my German heritage parents said we were going out for dinner to the city. My dad took us to the only Italian restaurant he knew of "Dave's Pizza" 😅 and ordered me spaghetti and meatballs, something we never ate at home. He told me "You're going to love this because you're half Italian!" When I was 21 I found my birth parents. They had married each other two years after my birth and I had a full younger sister and brother. My parents were very happy for me and welcoming to my birth family. Within a year my two father's became close friends. As my birth parents got divorced soon after my birth father would often go to my parent's farm and help my dad. While they worked my dad shared every story of my childhood he could remember with my birth father including the time when I was 16 and ran away from home for a week because some boy asked me to marry him. My dad was a cowboy who loved the mountains, so one summer he took my birth father on a two week horseback trip to the mountains. Just the two of them. My dad wasn't a man of endearing words but he showed his love by his actions. As a little girl he'd show up from town with a pretty dress he'd picked out for me all on his own from the local dress shop. Every year on February 15 he'd come home from town with a heart shaped box of chocolates for mom, myself and my little sister that he'd buy for half price. I thought that made him the smartest man in the world. The minute I turned sixteen he traded one of his cows so I had a car. He wasn't the richest man and we didn't go on fancy European vacations but he always managed to take us on a holiday somewhere each summer. Born in 1926 into a poor family he had to quit school when he finished grade three and went to work for the neighbour picking roots for fifty cents a day. He was one of the hardest working and most honest men I've ever known and while he never even learned to read he managed to provide a wonderful life for our family through his hard work and sacrifices. Rest easy in Heaven dad. You deserve it! Until we meet again ❤

This song reminds me so much of my step dad. He met my mom when I was five years old. Papa I call him was a great man. My mom had nine children. I don't know to many men that would step up like he did and raise nine kids that wasn't his. He was hand picked by God for such a task. He passed away 2 months ago and I miss him so much. I know he went on to get his reward for all he did for us. Rip Papa.....🥲

My stepdaughter came in to my life when she was 8. Her dad was still in her life and he contributed, from a distance. In the meantime we went thru all the things kids and parents go thru from that age. Fast forward and she’s getting married. I stayed back in the wings as she still had a father and I wasn’t there to steal his thunder. I have to say tho I was so honoured when she played this song for our dance that I wasn’t even expecting. That was years ago and this song, that dance and all the times we spent together still can bring a tear to my eye! I could have never asked for a better step daughter. I love you Amanda

My dad never wanted me but my stepdad never stopped loving me.

My mom had me when she was 17. She met the man I call my dad when I was just over a year old. He didn't hesitate. He married my mom when I was 18 months old. He took us in and raised me as his own. I ended up with a brother and a sister because of him. He taught me life lessons. Fixed my heart and my car. I lost my mom in June of 2019 to cancer, and then my dad to a heart attack in October the same year. I will be 49 years old on February 3, and I have NEVER once doubted who my DAD was. I am married to my best friend, who had 2 kids when I met her. I have 2 daughters from previous relationships. We both say we have 4 kids. Step is not a word in our house.

My mom was divorced with four kids and she met a man who forever changed our lives. Thank you Brad for remembering all those dads.

We played this song at my dads funeral. Thanks for all the good times dad .you took in a trouble boy and turned him in to man. Miss you every day

I married a wounderful woman 8 yrs ago whom had a son from a previous relationship. I asked her 8 yr old son could I date his mom. He said yes. I told him he needed to come along with us to keep his mom safe. He went everywhere with us. 6 months later I asked Henry could I marry his mom. He said yes. 3 months later we married. Not to long AFTER BEING MARRIED, Henry called me dad. I told Henry I'm not your dad, you can call me Charles, mr.glisson or you can call me dad, his response, NO, I RATHER CALL YOU DAD BECAUSE, YOU TREAT ME MORE LIKE A DAD THEN MY OWN DAD....... TEARS FROM ME..LOVE YOU HENRY...LOVE DAD

It's 6 in the morning. Was not prepared for this. My mom was a single mom with 3 kids. She met my dad when I was 3. Married when I was 5. He raised me. He's my father.

What a beautiful tribute to all the dads that didn't have to be

Anyone can be a father but it takes a real man to be dad

This is my daughter's song. I adopted her after her mom and I got married in the early 80s. My wife was a hard working single mom trying to do the best she could. I had never been around a 7 year old and it was all new to me. I was in the Air Force and having a child wasn't anything that entered my brain. I knew when I became part of the family I had one purpose, to make their lives the best they could be. Countless band events, dance recitals, and kid-friendly vacations kept us busy. The Air Force sent me on a remote tour for a year and I know what absence feels like. Today, as an 74 year old retired Chief Master Sergeant, I still have that purpose. My daughter graduated from college, got her Masters and now has a family of her own. She is a Colonel in the Air Force with massive responsibilities and is an outstanding leader. I like to think I helped mold some of that. Our grandkids stay overnight from time to time and love it here. The song hits close to home and I listen to it when I can. Thanks Brad for the song and video.

What a tribute to a stepdad. It takes a special person to raise a kid that isn’t theirs like they were. Thank God for good stepparents.

As a Dad of 2 adopted kids, this song hits me right in the chest every time, gets my eyes all teary.

I personally could never relate to this song, but I always founded it nice to hear it a long time ago. Few years back I married my girl and she has a son from a previous marriage. I always try my best to gain his respect as his father. For years I sometimes felt I failed. Until recently he sent me a link to this song, dedicating it to me. Couldn't hold the tears. I sat on my bed feeling so proud and accomplished...I love my boy, and my boy loves his father.

My stepdad came into my life when I was young and he taught me so much.He not only took me and treated me like his daughter but my two other siblings.Our first year he bought us everything in the store for Christmas and then bought us a real home.I could never understand how a man could love us all and give up everything.He was a single man and took on three kids.As a kid I never realized how much he really did for us.Here I sit and cry because that man let my real father come over anytime he wanted and never once was upset about it.He even gave my real dad a car to come see us!!! 😢

This song has made me realize how much I should love my fiancé son 😢 who's cutting onions 2024??

I met my husband when I was 7months pregnant with my son....when my son was born he was immediately being Daddy...we wed when my son was 4 years old and he was our best man....what a beautiful day that was....

My husband died when I was 5 weeks pregnant. The man I married when that child was 6 months old has been the most wonderful dad ever to that boy. Their bond is tight. Blessed. Yep, Brad Paisley, didn't have to be. But did .

Nobody can tell life stories like country music singers.

My step dad just passed away. I'm listening to this in tears. He did so much for my mom and I. We miss him dearly. He already had kids before marrying my mom, but he was still the dad to me he didn't have to be. He taught me so much. Rest easy. This one's to you, dad.

This song will always hold such a special place in my life. My dad ran out on us when I was 7, my oldest brother assumed the sorta role with me. He taught me so much while our mom was in the hospital and assumed way more responsibility than he should have ever been expected. Sadly he passed when I was 15 but in that window and beyond he has helped me so much.

Never had a real dad, he ran away from me and mom even before my 1st birthday, so this song really gets me. Thank God for my stepdad

going to be my father-daughter dance with my stepdad at my wedding. He raised me and loved me like I was his!

I didn't know my dad wasn't my biological father till I was 14. He was there from day one. Met my mother while she was pregnant with me and never flinched not once. He is my Father no matter what. I had my son in January of 2023. Like the song says... I hope I'm at least half the Dad he didn't have to be. My Father chose me and my mom and I thank God every day that he did. I just hope to God I can be as good to my son as he has been to me

I love this song. My friend played this at her wedding for the father-daughter dance. The man she calls Dad came into her and her Mom's lives just before her first birthday. He raised her as his own and right after he and her Mom got married, he adopted her. She didn't tell him she picked this song. He's a big country music fan and especially loves Brad Paisley. As soon as he heard the first few chords of the song, he started to cry. And he cried thru the entire song. Still brings tears to my eyes.

Today is the first time I've listened to this song since my wife of 17 years passed away after a battle with cancer. She absolutely ADORED/LOVED Brad's songs. She had a son with her first husband. Without fail, when she wanted to express to me her gratitude to me for 'stepping up' as they say, she would reference this song. I am in an absolute breakdown right now. I miss her beyond measure, but I still talk to my stepson (he's 30 now) on the phone pretty regularly.

My daughter is now 14 years old. I came into her life when she was just 3 years old. She never knew her real dad. He was killed on his job when she was only 15 months old. She tells me when she listens to this song, that it is our song DADDY!!!! That she is so happy that I came into her life to be her DADDY.

My dad came into my life when I was one year old and never turned around and ran... My own father ran out on me, My daddy raised me as his own, now I am 28 years old, and he is dying from cancer, and today is his birthday... Happy Birthday daddy, thank you for being there, even when you didnt have to be.. Thank you for being my daddy when my father couldnt even be there for me.. Any man can be a father, but only a special man can be a daddy, thank you for being such an amazing man and being a part of my life, I love you more than words can describe, and I am so happy that I am with you everyday, I love you...

Just lost my dad May 29th . Man what a soul. My mom was pregnant with me . He’s the one who took care of her made sure she ate made sure she was good. I wish I had his blood. Cause they don’t make ‘em like him ever. I’ve got a long way to go to be half the man he was and even longer to be the father he is.

Love this song. This was my step-dad. Came in my life at age 10 and made me the man I am today.

To all those dads that stepped up, dam few! My dad was that man, I was abandon and was being raised by nuns from birth and adopted by my parents when I was in the toddler phase. The story, well, my dad was in a diner having a breakfast sandwich when he learned of a little boy needing a home. He replied to this man "I’ll be his dad" and shortly thereafter I was legally adopted into a family where I had three other adopted siblings. My dad never told me that story. I was told by a family member who knew the man that told my dad about me. I simply say thank you for giving this kid a chance at life. On his death bed, while kneeling beside him and holding his hand, I thanked him for a wonderful life and being one hell of man. It made me the man I am today. RIP Dad, I miss both you and mom every day... To my adopted son, I hope I'm half the man to you, that my dad was to me.

If you ever need a good cry session, just listen to this song and read the comments. Its been almost 10 years since i cried, and I've now managed to cry a teaspoon full of tears

I'm not my daughter's biological father. I've been her life since the night she was born. I don't call her my step daughter. I call her my daughter.

This is a very beautiful video. But the true stories on all these comments section are even more beautiful. I hope someday me and my little boy can go from something missing To a family ….. too ! Love light to all

Loved my stepdad so much that when my mom divorce him I went to live with him......God bless real men

A fathers love isn’t measured by dna , it’s measured by the support and unimaginable love they have for the children.

Tears came out of my eyes, I'm not a single mom my mom wasn't either but this song is the kids perspective because this man make him feel loved and important, this song is for all the good man's out there

I couldn't ask for a better song to pay tribute to all the dad's that stepped up when they didn't have to but they did. It bring tears to my eyes no matter how many times I listen to it ❤❤🎉

I was nine years old and my brother was eleven when our mom died. Six years later, our dad remarried. She stepped in and took care of two teenagers like we were her own kids, and I thank God for her every day for that. She helped shape us into the adults we are today. I am glad to call her mom.

This reminds me of my step dad... I cried while I was listening ... So I thanked my step dad for the dad he didn't have to be.

I met my step dad at a young age. He's been in my life for 18 years now I've learned so much. He's helped me through a lot. I just had my first baby 8 months ago. And I still pray I'm half the man and half the dad he is too me... this song hits home.

My grandpa and grandma adopted me at age 2. This song reminds me of him because he didn’t have to be my dad, but he decided to do it anyway. Thank you dad, you’ve given me everything I could’ve ever wanted and I’m forever grateful for that ❤️

i was raised by my adopted father ,,,,,but to me hes the best father any kid could want ...a father is not a man who gives his genes ,,,a father is who raises u and is there for u in good and bad, he was not only my dad ... he was my best friend.. ....i miss u dad... but i know ur watching me from heaven,,, i love u dad...and i miss u ...i know your watching over me..and some day well see eachother again...and we'll never be apart again..

This beautiful poem made song touched my heart. My granddaughter has such a father in her life…and he didn’t have to be. He adopted her when she was 4. His first official business 3 months after marrying my daughter. He didn’t have to, he wanted to.

I’m the product of a stepfather. He passed away on Father’s Day June 16, 1991. Today is very hard even thought it’s 33 years later. This song hits home hard.

I met the man I call my dad when I was 4 years old, and was eventually adopted by him legally when I was 10. I first heard this song when I was 16 driving down our street and had to pull over because I was sobbing uncontrollably. This was my father/daughter dance song at my wedding, and once I had the opportunity to meet Brad Paisley at my work. I didn't want to sound like a star struck woman, but had to thank him for this song that brought my father and I so much closer together and how much it meant to us! I'll forever be a daddy's girl, and this will forever be our song! I'm so thankful for my daddy!

This song makes me tear up every time. My dad came Into my life when I was 8 and although he and my mom got divorced when I was 17,he never left us. In fact I lived with him after the divorce. I’m 26 now and my “step dad” will forever and always be my daddy.

Man I’m just about 38 years old and this song still makes me tear up. It’s always been my song to my father. My mom married him when I was 5 and he has never treated me and my sister as anything but his own kids. I don’t know where I’d be with out him and everything he’s done for me especially now that I’m going through a divorce. He’s been by my side every step of the way to help me through it.

It's 2022 and I'm still here listening to this great artist! What a beautiful song 🎵❤

My mother met the man I call my dad when I was 4 (I just turned 45 and they're still married to this day).. we've never said "step", it's always dad & son. First time I heard this song I cried cuz this was us perfectly, and every Father's Day & birthday I play this for him

I adopted my son when he was 2yrs old.He said I'm the only Dad he know's. Even though he knows the whole picture.Im blessed to have him in my life..Cant wait to see him next week on his 2 week leave.(Army),He's been in 5yrs.He is home best Christmas ever.

I didn't have a step dad. i have a step mom. I lost my mother at age 8. The lady that is now my step mom was only supposed to be there to help my single father take care of me and my two sisters. She is always a text or a phone call away if i need someone to talk to. My dad didn't marry her until after the three of us had grown up and moved out. Very greatful for her and glad she is in my life🫂

I'm 52...don't know my biological father's name...but my grandad was all I ever needed...he passed on last year and boy this song hurts soon good..thank you mr.paisley

Damn, son. This man can sing a story.

i pray my sister finds a man like this to take care of her daughter..Amen

I met you when I was 4. You didn't have to be my daddy but you was for 22 years. It's been almost a year since you passed away and the pain is still just as raw. I love and miss you so much dad

My sweet husband of 39+ years went to heaven last evening. 😥 Shout out to all the dads and moms that didn't have to be!! Mine was what this song speaks about!

It's my first time listening to it and I cry because I miss my "step" dad. Rest in peace dad. I love and miss you.💔

God bless my husband 😭 he is a true gift from God and so selfless and loving, he loves all of our children the same

As a single mom, this hits home . Hoping there’s a few good old boys left

I start to cry every time I hear this song, because my dad is one of those dads who didn't have to be & to me regardless of the fact that he isn't my biological father, he is my Daddy. I lost my biological father when I was 19 months old & my mom married the man, who is now my dad when I was about 3 or 4 years old, & he has always been there for me since

Yesterday my husband officially adopted my little girl, she just turned two. He and I have been together since she was 10 months old. And she knows him as Daddy. Her biological dad just walked out of her life when she was only 2 months old. This song reminds me so much of the selfless act my husband has shown by taking and loving her as his own when he didn't have to. He is such an amazing husband and father.

I am with a man who stepped up to the plate and became my son's dad when my son was 15 yrs old. They are inseparable today my son is 35 yrs old and my grandchildren call him Grandpa and he is so proud of my son and my grandchildren. I'm a big fan of yours Brad from the very beginning of your career. Keep up all the great songs.

No matter how far Brad Paisley has come this will always be my favorite song of his.

I met my dad when I was 7, he showed me everything I know about being a man. He loved and provided for my mom after he made sure I had what I needed, now that I have a son (almost 2), that has "Paw paw" wrapped around his little finger, this song hits me even harded, it was one thing to see this man come into my life and love me, but it's a whole different story to see this big strong man love my baby and melt like butter when my son wants him. I never introduced him as my "step-dad" and never will, but I always called my dad by his name, never got into the habit of callin him dad, but I vowed that my son will hear me call my dad "Dad", he deserves that and so much more. I wish that i would've had my last name changed to his. Love you dad, happy Father's Day. I hope I'm at least half the dad that you didn't have to be.

I dedicate this song to my father, whom has taken on that responsibility since I was 2 years old. He was only a couple years older than I am now when he came into my life. Family has never been determined by blood, but rather bond. He is, in every way that truly matters, my real dad.

Lost my dad that didn't have to be twice, once when I was 16 when he and mom divorced after being married since I was 4. And again today as his went home to the Lord, I'm now 66. He was always my dad, one he'll of a man and thank God he was in my life for over 60 years!!!

When I was 9 months old I was taken in by a loving family. I was adopted by that family at age 4. On Saturday I will be leaving the house I've in with my adoptive parents since I was 9 months old. I will be making a living for myself. Itll be bitter sweet. I'm 31 now. My adoptive mom passed last year from leukemia. I hope she is proud of the progress I've made since she passed. I now have a new adoptive mom who i met at the hospital during a mental health stay. She will never replace the mom I lost but I hope she can fill the void.

I was adopted and I was placed in my dad's home 16 years ago today, his birthday! I send him this song every year to remind him how grateful I am for him being the dad he didn't have to be.

I met my dad when I was about five. There were three of us kids. I was a bitter young man but dad was always there. He was best man at my first wedding and supported me when it didn't work out. He was beside me when I had to make the decision to take my second wife off life support. This has been my song to my dad for a long time.

I love my stepdad, because I had spent most of my life without a dad, and it was hard on me and my brother. He met us when I was 12, and not only does he have a true heart of gold, and is wonderful he took us in, especially with me having disabilities. He loves us equally. Even though our mom divorced him for no reason, he's dad. That's always how it's gonna be. Love you pops!

I lost my step dad a few days ago. I say step but I never introduced him as that. He was my dad since I was 9. I just turned 35 today first birthday without him on this earth. I love this song. I wasn't an easy boy to raise but he did with patience. Can't believe he is gone

I'm in love with an amazing girl that has a beautiful daughter that I absolutely adore and I truly feel this is the one I'm meant to spend my life with. It's weird because Ive always thought I'd want a kid of my own after I got married as the first child in our marriage but after meeting this little girl I want her to be apart of me just as much as her mom is. There's no amount of hours I wouldn't work to give her what she wants or time I'd spend with her that her biological father doesn't to make her know she is wanted and cherished. I just hope I can be the man/dad in her life she deserves.

My mom was a single mom with 2 kids and boy!!! The way this man I call my dad stepped up!! I'm now 32 and he is the only man I've known as a dad my whole life!! He didn't have to be but he did, I hope I make him proud everyday. I love you so much dad

This is my song to my sisters husband. He thought of me like I was kid. Even after my niece and nephew were born. I was still his kid too

Thanks to all good and loving stepdads out there... This song brings tears to my eyes Everytime I hear it 🥺

My dad died when i was about 7 years. and for 19 years i had no father figure and i felt so lonely but at 26 i found someone who steeped up to me as my dad and i'm forever grateful. Till today he is still my Dad. I love him and thank God for Him.

Today is my dads birthday he passed away almost three years ago. He was there for me when my own father couldn’t be. I love you dad one day we will all be together again.

My “dad”, the man that raised me and walked me down the aisle at my wedding passed away on Tuesday. He was my whole heart. This song has always made me think of him. I miss you every second, and I’m so much better for having had you as my dad. I love you

When my mom married my dad after my natural mom passed when I was four, she adopted us four children back in 1969. This song makes me cry every time and makes me so appreciate and love her! She brought our heart-broken family joy and normalcy again.

I just recently lost my grandfather, and one of the first things they did at the service/wake was play this song. My father lost his dad when he was very young, and shortly after, my grandfather entered the picture and became his dad, and raised my dad and his two aiblings as his own. Then, when my grandmother died a number of years later, when some people would have left, he stuck around like the great man he was. And then when he got remarried to my current grandmother, he took on four more children, and loved every one of them. He may not have had any biological kids, but he had 7 children who all called him dad, and he loved every one of them. And then he had grandkids, and great grandkids, and we were all a great happy family, all thanks to one man who stuck around when he didn't have to, to be an amazing father to seven children not of his body, and a great grandfather to a number of grandchildren and great grand children. This song might as well have been written for him. RIP grandpa Al, I miss you so much.

This song should be played during father's day throughout the world. I love it

The man I call my dad came into my life at 2 years old, I couldn't be any more blessed to be able to call him dad. I have an 11 year old daughter that I didn't help make, but she's been my whole world since the day I met her. Love you dad, and my baby girl.

Yeah, thanks Brad. Kick me in the feels would ya. I never had the blessing of a dad or stepdad, but my grandfather was all that and more. He's the only thing I can think of when I hear the refrain. I lost him 25 years ago, but I can still hear him guiding me and telling me he was proud of me. Thank you Brad!

I was a single mom of a little girl and pregnant with my second little girl when I met my husband. They didn’t even know what a dad was. He went through labor and delivery with me and fell head over heals in love. Those girls are now 4 and 6 and we have 3 little boys together. So all the single moms out there don’t lose hope.

omg I relate to this song. I am a single mom of an almost 5 year old daughter. and sometimes dating does feel like an interview. but finally met someone who has treated my daughter as his own and that means so much to me. he didn't have to be at all. he chose to be in both of our lives.

“The dad, he didn’t have to be!” By Brad Paisley has a beautiful message!! This right here is perfect example!😍🥰😘

M reading all these as testimonies I pray I find someone to love my boys and me❤

I dedicate this to my own dad! He did so much for me and still does, and I regret EVERYTHING bad I've done to my dad! Anybody can father a child and turn tail and run, but it takes a special person to father a child and STAY for the child! Thank you Dad!

Absolutely beautiful song. It made me cry, as for me being a single mother of two boys. It is hard to find a man that is willing to love and care for kids that aren’t His biologically. I pray one day God blesses me with a great men.

I will never have enough good things to say about my current husband. Even my daughter says he's rare. He has been the type of husband and stepdad that most would dream of. Yes, he and I both have had previous horrible marriages and I think that partly made us appreciate the good in each other. We had been through a lot of the same things, raised a lot of the same ways, and even though he is 17 years older than me, he is my soul mate. I cannot even fathom my life without him, EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He will be 71 next week. I forever salute my own Vietnam Veteran! This is one of the songs I swear was written for him.

This is one of the songs that made fall deeply in love with country music 15 years ago Now I'm 27...and I still get chills

Reminds of my current husband, who simply took my 3 children and took him as his own, my children think the world of him. He's more of a dad than their real father.

WHEN I FIRST HEARD THIS SONG I THOUGHT, WOW THIS IS THE PERFECT SONG FOR MY HUSBAND. I HAD A THREE YEAR OLD SON RAISING HIM MY MYSELF. TO THIS DAY HIS FATHER HAS NEVER TRIED TO GET A HOLD OF HIM. BUT THERE IS NO NEED OF THAT, BECAUSE HE ALREADY HAS A DAD. MY HUSBAND OF 33 YEARS STOOD UP TO THE PLATE AND HELP ME RAISE A WONDERFUL SON. NOW HIS A DADDY OF TWO BEAUTIFUL BOYS, ONE 15 AND THE OTHER ONE IS A 3 YEARS OLD. THAT GRANDPA, LOVES.

As a single mother this wouod be a dream come true as i have 2 girls and their father died over 3 yrs ago..... Someday soon i hope, they are 10&12 and they need a father figure in their lives because as hard as i try i am not man enough 💔

My dad died before the adoption was finalized and it hurts so much But he's in heaven watching over me there's flowers on his grave from me and my sisters Rip. Rev Stephen D Yost 1971-2021 Your were an amazing step parent 😊

grew up without a father figure. When I was 13 my mother got married he took in all four of her kids. It’s been 4 years since and im so thankful he is the dad that he didn’t have to be. I’m in the process of being adopted by him. My siblings get to grow up with a dad and I love him for that. This song was very well written and performed.

lol this roughneck teared up blessed wit the man I call dad.