Father’s Day is a special day celebrated worldwide to honor dads for their hard work and their contribution in raising stable, healthy, and happy families. But the bond with fathers extends beyond DNA. For others, today is about celebrating the father figures who have willingly entered their lives and stepped up to serve as their father. The extraordinary men who have fully embraced the role and responsibility of a dad in providing, caring for, and taking in non-blood related children as their own.
Truly, it’s not genes or biology that make a father, but the deep connection of genuine love, care, and unwavering commitment. Four step kids share heartwarming stories about their remarkable step dads and honor them with sweet Father’s day messages.
Always there
Stephen Munez’s mom moved to the US to seek better opportunities and pave the way for a better life for him and his older brother when Stephen was only 1-year-old. Stephen lived in the Philippines with his other relatives for nine years before migrating to California to join his mom in 2009, and that’s also when he started living with his stepdad, Alex.
Stephen Munez with his dad Alex Alfonso
Stephen never had a relationship with his biological dad, who passed away in 2021. “But Papa Alex stepped up and treated me like I was his own,” says Stephen of his step-dad proudly. It took some time before Stephen warmed up to his step-dad, but he says “sometimes you have to give the other person a chance, before you judge who they are and their intentions.”
It was also when his step-dad entrusted the family restaurant for Stephen to manage and operate during the pandemic that Stephen felt truly empowered. “It’s nice to have that trustful relationship towards something that means so much to Papa. I am also grateful for the life lessons he has given me throughout the years to help me become the man I am today.” He is thankful to his Papa Alex for being there for him, “he took his time to get to know me and stood in as a father figure since day one and never left.”
His Father’s Day message to his step-dad, Alex: “Thank you for always being there and for supporting me and our family. No matter how much anger and stress I put you through, you’re still there. Thank you for showing me the right path. Love you, Pa!”
Selfless legacy
Tricia Liu’s real dad passed away from diabetes in 2004 when she was only nine years old. Being raised by a hardworking single mom, she was used to life without a father figure. So when her mom remarried in 2017, it felt quite different to recognize a father in her life. It took a while for Tricia to adjust to their new blended family arrangement, as well as learn to welcome her step-dad, Patrick’s constructive criticism, which she knew always came from a good place. “My stepdad always wants the best for me by sharing his past experiences, especially with handling business decisions,” says Tricia, who now runs her own real estate brokerage firm.
Tricia Liu with her dad Patrick
As a young entrepreneur, Tricia is thankful for her step-dad’s guidance in imparting to her the values of malasakit as a business owner. She says her step-dad is a “kind-hearted and compassionate person who loves God and cares for others.” Moreover, he also leads by example, and is respected by their family and at his workplace.
Her advice to other step kids in building a better relationship with their step dad is “to always root for unity in a blended family.” She states that “every family has a unique story to tell, but the common factor in all homes should be love. Let no one feel left behind.” Thus it is with full gratitude that she acknowledges her step-dad’s effort in gaining her trust. She describes him as someone who is selfless and puts their interests above his own. He remains humble and lives a practical life, and demonstrates what it means to be a joyful man who is devoted to his family.
Her Father’s Day message to her step-dad, Patrick: “Pop, thank you for being in my life. You inspire me to become the best version of myself and to always put others first. I am always praying for your health and happiness. Your selfless legacy will live on in the hearts of all your children.
Provider and more
Yna L.’s biological father had left her family when she and her sister were three years old and one-year-old, respectively. So they didn’t think they needed a father-figure when her “stepdad,” Kelvin—who doesn’t like the word stepdad—entered the picture about seven years later.
Yna and her sister Isabel with their dad Kelvin
Admittedly, Yna confides that she gave her dad a very hard time, “I was very sungit (feisty), hesitant and snobby towards him.” Thankfully, her dad never gave up. “He chose to be a dad to two girls, and 20+ years in, he is our forever favorite person!”
Yna refers to her dad as their “best friend and support system.” “We can talk to him about anything,” from their heartbreaks to life advice, to believing in them and encouraging them to follow their dreams.
She cannot reiterate enough how well their dad took care of them, provided for them, and truly treated them like his own. Since day one, her dad would work around their schedule from school to gym to training, parties with friends, and even dates. “He is the reason why we never settle for the bare minimum, because we saw how deeply he loves mom and how supportive he is in everything that we do.” Additionally, she mentions that she “can’t remember an important event of our lives that he was not a part of. He’s always available for us.”
She concludes, “not to sound clichéd, but he really is not a step dad, he is a dad that stepped up.” To other children who may be in her similar situation, her advice is to give step-parents a chance and the respect they have earned and deserve.
Her Father’s Day message to her step-dad, Kelvin: “Happy Father’s Day, Dad! Thank you for always being there for us. Thank you for providing for our needs and wants. We love you so much.”
Put God first
Christine Codrington’s parents were married for thirteen years before they decided to separate when she was only 10 years old. She remembers them fighting a lot as a child, and thought in hindsight that the divorce was actually better for the peace of the family. A year later, she and her sister met Dennis who became her stepfather a few months later.
Christine with her daughter Isabella and her dad Dennis. Next photo: Dad Dennis and son Christoper.
Christine says she did not understand the arrangement initially, as she had still longed for her biological father. Over time, when she became honest about her feelings and opened up to her stepdad was when they started forging a better relationship.
She shares how her stepdad took the responsibility of her dad while in the Philippines, “he would drive us to school when my mom was out of town, and earnestly provided us with comfort and love.”
Christine recalls childhood memories of going on vacation to her step-dad’s province in Pangasinan with his family, “he made us feel secure, we never felt like we were a broken family.”
Christine describes her current relationship with her step-dad, who she simply calls “dad,” as “very good.” “He was strict towards me growing up, but he helped me pursue my passions.” According to Christine, she bonded a lot with her step-dad in the kitchen while growing up, and it was with him that she learned to bake and prepare nice dishes. Her mom and step-dad eventually shared four more children, but Christine never felt left out. “We are just blessed that he loved us all equally!”
She is most thankful to her stepdad for introducing her to Jesus, too! “He always puts God first. He leads prayer before meals, and guides me through 30-minute devotions every morning growing up,” she answered, when asked how her dad was able to bind them well as a family.
Her Father’s Day message to her stepdad, Dennis: “I just want to thank him for always guiding us. Now that I’m older, and even after my mom’s passing, he would still always visit us. Nothing changed. Thank you for stepping in and filling the role of a dad. I know it was not easy for you, but I want you to know I appreciate you. We love you very much, Dad.”