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I didn’t think I was ready to raise a girl…

But God don’t ask if you’re ready — He just delivers.

When He gave me you, Kylee…

He gave me something worth fightin’ for.

From day one, you became my whole world.

From day one, you had my heart in your hands

Taught me to soften up and still be a man

I was broken, you were pure, gave me breath

I’ll be by your side till I’m laid to rest

You changed my world with that baby laugh

Turned a hardened soul into a softer path

And even with nothin’ but love and stress

You smiled like a queen in a cotton dress

We came from the bottom, broke and stressed

Your mom left us both for drugs and mess

But I held you close, never lost that flame

Didn’t have much, but I gave you my name

Nights alone, cryin’ in silent fights

Workin' doubles just to keep on lights

I worried I wasn't good as you are

But you made me better, healed every scar

I fell in love with the man I became

Feeding you, holdin’ you, changin' my frame

I took care of you, but it’s truth, believe —

You were the one that ended up savin’ me

From day one, I knew I’d never leave

Even when I questioned what you'd see in me

You grew, I grew, through every test

You and me against the world, no second guess

You pulled my strings, wore my tees

While I worked, Angela filled the scene

Now there’s three hearts beatin’ in one home

And you still call my arms your favorite throne

Then I met Angela, my old flame

Waited six months just to say your name

You were two years old, full of sass and steps

Pullin’ on hearts, takin’ deep breaths

Angela stepped in with a mother’s grace

Loved you like blood, no time to waste

You called her “Mom” ‘fore I could blink

And I knew it was fate, not just what I think

From day one, I swore I’d be your shield

Now I watch you grow with a heart so real

Matchin’ Mom when you step outside

But rockin’ my shirts when you chill inside

Basketball shorts, hair in a twist

My little sidekick I could never resist

Still my rider, still my light

Still the reason I keep fightin’ right

Second grade came, and you shined so sweet

Loved on strangers, made every friend feel seen

Still my fishing buddy, tough and smart

Hookin’ worms, askin’ questions from the heart

"Will you always love me?" — I paused, then smiled

Said, “Girl, you saved me, made my life worthwhile”

Didn’t flinch when life threw weight and war

You my reason, my peace, my forevermore

From day one, you been my softer side

My reason to live, my anchor, my pride

You ain’t a baby, but you still my girl

Still my light in this violent world

They say dads break when daughters shine

But I became whole when your light met mine

So when I’m gone, remember this breath—

I was yours from day one, to my death

You’ll never need to question my love.

You made me better. You gave me life.

And you’ll always be my baby girl…

From day one.