I must admit, I did not see this in the beginning – I ignored you, I underestimated you, I kept away from you. But time passed and you proved me that even I was wrong, that you are different, that you are worth everything that I have gone through. I’m oh-so-proud of you. You have prevailed through the worst of times, you have lived on, you were able to make it this far. And for all that you have done, I love and cherish you.

I was warned not to go near you. I was told that you were not like anybody else, that you always have something devious going on in that brain of yours, that you were not meant to be trusted at all. They hid me from you. And yet I disobeyed them… Your charm, your wits, your style mesmerized me completely. Your eyes made me feel all tingly, your smile made me tense, and your company made me forget that I’m already taken. You were friendly and obliging; you were always there when I needed understanding. You made me feel really special, something that I had always longed for from him. You knew this. You sent me colorful bouquets, you took me to fancy restos, you made me feel like I was your everything. And so I decided. Amidst protests from my relatives, my friends, and my conscience, I left him to stay with you. Fights erupted, tears were shed, good times rolled, and happiness came and went. Most of the time, I was boring, I was selfish, I made lots of blunders. But you still loved me as me. I was far from being perfect, but you never gave up. You still stood by me, even though I was starting to crack up. You’ve been and will always be there for me no matter what.

I do appreciate everything that you have done for my own and our children’s wellbeing. A belated happy father’s day to the person I care about the most.