Taking my stepson and his friends to the amusement park, I overheard a conversation that initially crushed me but ultimately led to a heartwarming realization—I was truly becoming his dad.

It was a big day for me. I woke up feeling a mix of excitement and nerves because I was taking Eli, my stepson, and a few of his friends to an amusement park. It wasn’t just about having fun; it was a chance to grow closer to Eli and hopefully become someone he could consider part of his family.