“You showed me blood doesn’t define family. Love does.”
This was written in a letter from three children to their stepfather, and these words resonate so much truth if you come from a mixed or adoptive family.
It’s never easy to suddenly come into another family’s life.
Whether you’re an adopted child meeting your new family for the first time, or an adult who chose to marry someone with kids from their previous marriage, it would take a while for everyone to get used to each other.
But along with time comes love’s growth within the family, and that’s what matters most.
David Lacy married his wife TK, who had three children from her previous marriage.
Ashley, Rusty, and Courtney were so young back then, but they remember everything David did for them that showed how much they loved them.
He was there when it mattered most, from building a sandbox after work hours to teaching them how to drive.
However, David could not legally adopt the kids at that time.
According to adoption laws, a stepparent could adopt minors with the biological father’s consent or if there is proof of abandonment.
Since their birth father did neither, David had to settle for being their unofficial father.
Twenty-six years after, his children gave him the surprise of his life during his 51st birthday.
They captured the sweet moment on camera as TK gave David her children’s letter and read it aloud.
It was a three-page letter highlighting how their kids appreciated their stepfather’s effort.
Part of the letter said:
“We’ll never be able to explain how much you mean to us and how much you have changed our lives… You mended a broken heart that you didn’t break, and you helped three raise three kids that you didn’t make… A dad isn’t defined as a man who makes the child, but rather a man who extends his hands in time to help with the child’s raising and his heart who loves the child through anything.”
TK read all of her children’s thoughts through the heartwarming lines and the funny ones, too.
Each shared how David has been a great stepfather to them and even a great grandpa to their kids.
All those years of love he showered to the kids have come to this – the end of the letter that said, “turn to the last page.”
And right there was the question: “Will you finally become our dad and adopt us?”
There were tears everywhere!
David cried happy tears for this sweet birthday surprise.
He was speechless after reading the letter, and TK presented him with all the paperwork he needed to complete and sign.
David got up and went to where Ashley, Rusty, and Courtney were.
He gave them a big hug, and we guess that’s his way of answering ‘yes.’
After almost three decades, he was finally and legally their father.
This shows how great of a husband and father David is to TK and her kids.
Want to hear the remaining of the letter? Watch the video below.
