One could argue that Ricky is very much his stepfather’s son. But the fact remains we do not share that bond. He is not my son, and I am not his father. I have been a parent to him since he was four years old, but I will never replace his father, nor should I. This creates it’s own separation because he gets to choose when he wants to treat me as a friend, a parent, or just his mother’s husband. I have been all three at various times.

A bit of our tale.

https://medium.com/ellemeno/bear-with-me-i-want-to-tell-you-something-cd17e9646847