In every significant manner, he was my father, and I was thankful for that. I learned the value of family and the strength of forgiveness from this experience.
A reminder that family isn’t always ideal but that even the most difficult relationships can be restored with love and understanding, it was a week filled with healing, laughter, and fresh starts.
I kept that connection with me as I got ready for college and new experiences, knowing that Stephen would always be there for me—not just as a father figure, but as my real father.
