For the Dads who once had to tell their Mom and/or Dad that “it just didn’t work out”

For the Dads who had to adjust to a staggered schedule – usually consisting of Tuesday and Thursday’s from four til seven and every other weekend.

For the Dads who, even if they had only thirty five bucks in checking until payday, took her to a movie and spent thirty of it and threw away more than half of the popcorn.

For the Dads who know what it’s like to go and hang out at the mall on a Thursday afternoon because, really, what can you do with three hours minus travel time?

For the Dads who bite their tongue and take the high road – knowing that she still has the ability to fuck their world up even though they’re not together and she’s probably wrong.

For the Dads who woke up alone on a Christmas morning and had only the memory of a few hours on Christmas eve this year.

For the Dads who make sure that Mom gets a card from the kid on Mothers day every year but who don’t always get one in return.

For the Dads who agonize and fret and despond over the thought of who’s hanging around their little girl or boy when they’re at Mom’s.

For the Dads who think they can fight the system – knowing that they’re just fueling the fire.

For the Dads who know that a “stepdad” is only allowed to be a “stepdad” when we’re dead.

For the Dads who’ve had to endure a holiday gathering with the family without the kid and can’t help but feel like a pity case.

For the Dads who might have lost a job because of the stress involved with the separation.

For the Dads who leave work early to get fifteen minutes at a school function.

For the Dads who go to the pizza shop and the ice cream place and the park and a baseball game and a movie every other weekend.

For the Dads who have a bedroom that sits empty but neat more than half the time where the clothes are always folded and the toys are aplenty.

For the Dads who know what the guilt of falling asleep before the kid on one of your nights feels like.

For the Dads who do, I salute you.