Stepdad’s Daddy-Daughter Mornings Captures Bond with Spouse and Daughter (Unique)

In a heartwarming TikTok, Marissa Bennett paperwork her husband John taking her 2-year-old daughter Lyla for his or her weekly “daddy daughter mornings.” The viral clip highlights John’s dedication to bonding along with his stepdaughter with a view to present her that “she is aware of how a lot he loves her and is there for her,” the video reads.

“The daddy daughter mornings weren’t premeditated,” John solely tells PEOPLE. “It actually simply occurred organically. I work all day and are available house and the very first thing I need to do is create a cheerful life for Marissa and Lyla.” 

The custom started a few 12 months in the past when John and Marissa started courting (they’re now married). Regardless of preliminary hesitations about introducing a brand new associate to her daughter, Marissa was fortunately stunned by John and Lyla’s immediate connection.

“At first, she was a little bit hesitant,” Marissa tells PEOPLE. “Nevertheless it was possibly an hour later, he was carrying her inside the home, and there was an airplane. They each rotated to search for on the airplane and she or he was touching his face. That second made me tear up as a result of I do know what an incredible, reliable particular person he was.” 

Since then, each Saturday morning, John wakes up early to organize breakfast for Lyla whereas Marissa enjoys some further relaxation. Then he and Lyla got down to get pleasure from their particular time collectively, which usually features a journey to the fitness center adopted by playtime on the park. 

Whereas these mornings are partly an effort to supply Marissa with some much-needed alone time, for John, they imply far more. “As a lot as Lyla is Marissa’s daughter, I share that accountability,” he says. “For me to have the ability to present a secure and comfortable atmosphere for each Marissa and Lyla is admittedly empowering and confidence-building.” 

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Because the outings turned a practice, Marissa says she’s grateful for the bond they’ve shaped. “It means a lot to me as a result of all through the week, I’m along with her 24/7,” she shares. “We don’t have babysitters, in order that’s my solely time to be alone. Figuring out that it’s additionally strengthening their relationship collectively, it’s like probably the most helpful factor on the planet.” 

John emphasizes the significance of speaking and understanding one another, particularly in the case of blended households.

“It’s setting your associate for fulfillment when you’re speaking,” he says. Marissa provides, “An enormous factor is to have your important different create bonds along with your children, possibly away from the opposite partner … simply so the kid is aware of that this particular person is right here to remain and that they’ve their again.” 

The viral TikTok clip has caught the hearts of many, with an overwhelmingly constructive response to their story.

“I feel probably the most particular factor about it’s that individuals get a glimpse into what my each single day is like with him as my husband and because the father of my little one,” Marissa shares. “On daily basis, he’s doing issues that make me really feel so beloved, and that make Lyla really feel so beloved and safe in such a steady house.”