Does a "Step" Really Make a Difference?

Maybe It Did Once, Long Ago, But Not Anymore

Last Sunday was Father’s Day.

The day began with a beautiful card and message from Barbara, followed by a sweet phone call from my stepdaughter and son-in-law, who live in Colorado.

My stepson had invited us to a Father’s Day dinner at a restaurant they love, and now we love it too.

Five of us gathered around the table.

Barbara, our son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and me.

During the meal, they shared a Father’s Day card that confirmed something I realized long ago.

To me, the words “step” and “in-law” no longer matter.

They are my son, daughter, and grandson.

My son had a wonderful father. I had the pleasure of knowing him well.

I could never fill his shoes, nor would I want to.

What matters is that we all love one another.

Over the years, we’ve shared wonderful moments together, memories I treasure.

One of them comes back to me every Father’s Day.

About twenty-five years ago, at my son’s wedding reception, his father and I were standing together enjoying the celebration.

Suddenly, the photographer appeared and snapped a picture.

She looked startled as she lowered her camera and immediately began apologizing.

She had just taken a photo of the groom’s father and stepfather together.

We both laughed and assured her she had nothing for which to apologize. In fact, she was welcome to take all the photos she wanted.

It felt good then, and it still feels good all these years later.

Sitting around a table surrounded by so much love reminded me of something important:

Family is not always determined by the titles we use.

Sometimes it’s simply determined by the people who choose to love one another.

And that’s something worth celebrating.