This is a lovely story, Maria. I can really relate. My daughters are 9 and 13 and about to get a step dad. He feels the same awkwardness as your husband. My own stepmom gave him some good advice. (She joined our family when I was 10.) She said the research says it takes twice the child’s age when you meet them to feel like their parent completely. So if you meet them at 7 it takes 7 years. I feel like my stepmom is my mom and she calls me and my sisters her daughters but it did take years to feel that way. Patience really is the key.