Shows like The Brady Bunch and Step By Step make it seem like blending families is simple. There’s a laugh track and problems can be solved in 30 minutes or less. But the truth is far more complicated. While we would argue that children are more open to love than most of us adults are, getting a child to trust and respect you as a parental figure is not for the weak.
Children are generally excellent judges of character. So if you manage to make a child love you, you’ve done something right. That is clearly the case when it comes to one dad on TikTok who has clearly managed to win over his wife's five children.
These five children had been wanting to ask their stepdad this question for a while.
We witnessed just a piece of this family's journey when a mom of five shared what her children got her husband — their stepfather — for Christmas. The title card for the video reads: “My kids have been wanting to ask their stepdad this for months so they waited until around Christmas.”
The video starts with him opening up a large box filled with snacks and candy. He goes through each of the items appreciatively until he gets to some papers at the bottom.
Before they got to the question, each child shared what their dad meant to them.
The papers include a paragraph from each child explaining how he came into their lives and what he’s meant to them.
“Dear Dad. We know it’s not always been butterflies, candy, rainbows for you with all of us … We do know you love our mother and want to be with her the rest of your life … When we first met … we had our ups and downs. I just really did not know what I had here … A real dad tells you he loves you, tells you good night, good morning … You do it because you love us and care for me as if I’m your own,” reads one.
The dad ended up making a joke to keep from crying … but it didn't work.
From the first letter, this father started getting emotional. But he has four more notes to go. On the second note, the dad ends up making a joke to keep himself from crying, and then clears his throat as he continues reading.
One son thanked him for the bonus brother and sister that the father had from a previous relationship. The only daughter in the bunch thanked him for the way he treats her and “being very respectful” to her.
“I’ve gotten a real dad in my life,” she writes. “It’s really nice to say that I have a family. Thank you Dad for everything you do for us. I really appreciate it.”
By the time he finishes her letter, he’s fully crying.
When they finally asked the question, the dad wept.
The youngest child thanks him for showing him love even when he’s driving him and his mother crazy. Finally, the stepdad gets to the real gift.
“We’re writing to tell you this is our Christmas gift this year. We are wanting to ask you Dad, will you adopt us.”
The word adopt got caught in his throat before he covers his face and weeps.
'We need more dads,' one user wrote in response to the video.
Someone in the room in the video says, “Go hug him, y’all. I don’t know why you’re still sitting here. Go!” The children crowd around him before he answers: “Yes, I would be honored to.”
This beautiful family moment struck a chord with the people on TikTok. The video has been viewed 1.7 million times, with people leaving well wishes in the comment section.
“ I'm crying this is so sincere pure emotion what a blessing to have such a beautiful family keep doing what you r doing we need more dads,” one user wrote, and we absolutely agree.
All the love to this beautiful family.
