[Laneco]

My father (okay, step-dad) married my mom when I was 12. I was and still am a pretty indepedent little stinker. I used to go camping by myself for 3-4 days at a time when I was that age. Took care of myself and didn't need a dad to do that for me.

Talk about step into a no-win situation. You marry a gal and her kid just pretty much decides you are an unnecessary life form. Adding to Dad's challenges were being a long-haul truck driver. His time away from us actually made me even more resentful. Dad never lost patience. I remember the day he told me he loved me and I believed it. I was 14. He suffered my **** for two years and on that day everything changed...

Saw Dad in a different light that day. He was not the person who was "supposed" to love me like my biological father. He was the person who for no substantive reason chose to love me. That was an incredible feeling - knowing he chose this.

I am proud to say I'm "Daddy's Girl". Wish the same unconditional love for you and yours.
angela