He Didn't Have to Be

When a single mom goes out on a date
With somebody new
It always winds up feelin'
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 lyin' there in bed
I overheard him pop the question
And I prayed that she'd say yes
And then all of a sudden
Oh, it seemed so strange
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 about 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
It seemed so strange to me
How we've gone from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' through the glass I think about the man
Who's standin next to me
And I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

Lookin' back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

Yeah, I hope I'm atleast 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


Written By: Brad Paisley & Kelly Lovelace
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