Family is the people you love, who love you, who are in your life because they genuinely make it better. The bond of a family comes from the shared experiences, memories, and connections you have that run so much thicker than blood.
This mom knows that. She sees it every day. She has built a beautiful family for her daughter — one that includes a loving and devoted father. He may not have contributed to her DNA, but he's contributing to every other aspect of her life, and they're getting a lot of love online for their amazing relationship.
Do you have someone in your life who is not related but is still family? COMMENT on Facebook and tell us about how they've positively impacted your life, or SHARE this article with someone you know who embodies the idea that being a "step-parent" means stepping up.
Meet Karisa Smith.
Karisa is a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks where she's working towards getting her associate's degree in Medical Assisting.
She lives in Fairbanks on the Fort Wainwright Army Base with her husband, who works for the U.S. Military.
She lives in Fairbanks on the Fort Wainwright Army Base with her husband, who works for the U.S. Military.
This is Karisa's daughter, Josalen.
Josalen will be turning three at the beginning of next year, but at only two, she's already mastered the art of wrapping a man around her finger.
Karisa met Shane in the summer of 2014.
Karisa has said that, "When he fell in love with me, he fell in love with my daughter. He took on a nine-month-old," which is a lot of work. Many people wouldn't be interested in dating a mom and having all of that extra responsibility, but Shane was up to the challenge — and he excelled.
"They aren't related by blood, but they are daddy and daughter."
Karisa praised her husband on Facebook for the amazing parenting of her little girl. "When she cries, he's there. When she needs him, he's there. We don't use the term 'stepfather.' He is her father."
Over the past couple of years, these three have really become a family.
Josalen is a daddy's girl, and he wouldn't have it any other way. Karisa said, "My husband goes above and beyond to take care of her as his own."
"They are two peas in a pod and the love of [this] father runs deep."
Shane's love for Josalen runs so deep that, "he has decided to adopt her and the adoption is in process. They will soon be 'officially' daddy and daughter."
Recently, Shane had to go away for a two-week exercise with the military.
It broke little Josalen's heart. She missed him so much that he had to come home to comfort her. Karisa took the opportunity to snap a photo of the heartwarming moment and posted it to Facebook.
"This picture was taken at 2 a.m. when he snuck home from work to calm her down because she missed him; he had been gone for 14 days."
The photo was posted to Love What Matters and received an overwhelming number of likes, comments, and shares. Many people took the opportunity to share their own tales of the men who raised them with more love and devotion than their own fathers could muster — men who earned the title of "father" — men just like Shane.
"This picture was taken at 2 a.m. when he snuck home from work to calm her down because she missed him; he had been gone for 14 days."
The photo was posted to Love What Matters and received an overwhelming number of likes, comments, and shares. Many people took the opportunity to share their own tales of the men who raised them with more love and devotion than their own fathers could muster — men who earned the title of "father" — men just like Shane.
And last month, this family added another one to love!
Karisa and Shane welcomed a baby girl, Harleigh, making Josalen a big sister! This family clearly has more than enough love to go around.
Congratulations to the Smith family!
Congratulations to the Smith family!
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