18 Pics That Show Stepparents’ Everlasting Love Can Be Even Stronger Than Blood Ties

Unlike biological parents, who age and grow alongside their children, stepparents choose to join an already established family. Blended families typically face a variety of challenges while attempting to dwell under the same roof. A stepparent-stepchild connection might take years to develop, but it may grow as strong as the tie with an actual parent, or even more.

Many people have expressed their unique stepparenting bond on the internet and we, at Bright Side, stumbled upon a few pics that made our hearts overflow with all the positive feelings.

1. “Just trying to be the best stepdad I can to this little girl.”

2. “For the first time in her life, my 8-year-old stepdaughter asked to stay up late to watch the game with me.”

“This is what dad’s dreams are made of.”

3. “I love being a stepdad! Here she is helping me ’drive to the store.’”

4. “It’s my birthday today and I don’t even care. I just miss my stepdad.”

5. “My stepson is special needs and is starting school right after Christmas.”

“Today he picked out a yellow folder, so I decided to make it special for him.”

6. “My fiancé ’proposed’ to my daughter to ask if she’d be his stepdaughter.”

7. “My oldest stepdaughter got married. It was a great honor, as she wanted me to walk her down the aisle along with her father.”

8. “We had my stepdad dress up as Santa since we couldn’t visit him at a mall this year.”

9. “My stepdad and I got matching clothes for Christmas.”

10. “My stepdad raised my autistic sister and me as if we were his own blood.”

“Happy Father’s Day, shout out to all the fathers who didn’t have to be!”

11. “I sent my stepmom a pic of my now shaved head because of chemo and she sent back this.”

“She made me feel like a warrior when I really needed it.”

12. “Best stepmom ever”

13. “I adopted my stepdaughter yesterday. After 3 years of being her daddy, it’s finally legit.”

14. “First time stepping in as a parental figure. I love this little guy, my future stepson, Dusty.”

15. “Me and my stepson after a 16-hour shift at work”

16. “My stepdad and little sister taking a nap together”

17. “My stepdad passed today. What better way to remember him than sharing this throwback picture of us from 16 years ago.”

18. “The look of pride on my father-in-law’s face says everything about this moment.”

What is your favorite family moment? Are you a stepparent? Got any tips about parenting?