He Didn't Have to Be

When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new

It always winds up feeling more like a job interview

My mama used to wonder if she'd ever meet someone

Who wouldn't find out about me and then turn around and run

I met the man I call my dad when I was five years old

He took my mom out to a movie and for once I got to go

A few months later I remember lying there in bed

I overheard him pop the question and I prayed that she'd say yes

And then all of a sudden, ah, it seemed so strange to me

How we went from something's missing to a family

Lookin' back all I can say about all the things he did for me

Is I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be

I met the girl that's now my wife 'bout three years ago

We had the perfect marriage but we wanted somethin' more

Now here I stand surrounded by our family and friends

Crowded 'round the nursery window as they bring the baby in

And now all of a sudden, ah, it seemed so strange to me

How we had gone from something's missing to a family

Lookin' through the glass I think about the man that's standing next to me

And I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be

And lookin' back all I can say about all the things he did for me

Is I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be

Yeah, I hope I'm at least half the dad that he didn't have to be

Because he didn't have to be

You know he didn't have to be