A single message altered a relationship I believed would be permanent.

When I first met her, she was just three years old, with curls and cautious eyes, holding onto a stuffed giraffe. By the age of four, she began to call me "Daddy" on her own. Now at thirteen, her biological father comes and goes unpredictably. One night, while she was with him, she reached out to me for help.

Upon receiving her message, I drove over to pick her up. As she got into the car, she asked if she could call me Dad again, this time for real. Overwhelmed with emotion, I laughed, cried, and held her hand on the journey back home.

When I met my wife Zahra, her daughter Amira was still in diapers. Throughout Amira's growth, her biological father's sporadic presence led her to stop calling me Daddy, opting for my first name to maintain balance. Despite this, I continued to support her quietly, attending school events and helping with homework, allowing love to speak louder than titles.

One significant moment arose when Amira expressed her desire not to stay with her biological father. During a school project, she questioned why I never left. I replied, "Because I never wanted to. Because I love you." This prompted her to add "Dad" to my contact name, signifying a meaningful step towards our bond.

At a crucial court hearing, when asked about her preference, Amira stated she wanted me, Josh, to be her real dad. Following this, we initiated the adoption process amidst objections from her biological father. Ultimately, six weeks later, the adoption was finalized, marking a joyous occasion celebrated with takeout and a movie night.

Amira expressed her gratitude, acknowledging my unwavering support. She whispered, "Thanks for not giving up on me," to which I responded, "Never crossed my mind." The essence of fatherhood lies not in biology but in commitment, consistency, and love. Through perseverance during challenging times, bonds are formed, and now, legally and emotionally, I am her dad.