My son, in every way that matters. There are moments in a man's life when he feels singularly honored. One of those moments came for me a month or so after your mother and I met and began courting. It was you (9 years old) and me outside McDonald's waiting for your mom and sis. We were just chatting and out of the blue, you looked up at me and said, "Can I call you Dad?" Wow.
You are my son, and always will be. Though you didn't have my blood, you have my heart forever.
Bring your mom a kitty every once in a while, Buddy. I love you.