What's it like to have a dad?

I've always wondered what its like to have a dad? I always see little girls and their dads buying them cute dresses or toys where I work and I think "I wish I could have had that". I always think about it more around fathers day simply because I'm reminded I have no one to give corny card or gift to. My Biological father left when I was very young and I saw him once every few years maybe a call on my B-day but I haven't gotten a call in years now. He apparently has a new wife and step kids and a nice house in the U.S...all I really remember about him was that he had a wicked temper and he punched walls and stuff when I was a kid. My mom has had two fiances since my bio dad and they were both alcoholics she's still with one of them but they aren't engaged anymore. I must admit I find these scenes in the store kind of strange because every man I've been close to has been angry all the time, emotionally abusive, insensitive or a combination of these traits. I wonder if these dads I see are actually as nice as they seem or if they're just acting nice because they're out in public.