visitation rights for non biological father

Can we get some more background? Were you married? How long did the child/children live with you in the house?

We never got married but were engaged,I stayed over night at her house 4-6 nights a week but maintained my own residence.
When I met my ex her daughter was 2 months old,we dated for about 8 months before I met her daughter,but after we met we almost instantly bonded and she would cry if I didn't hold her. In fact my ex's mom used to joke with me that the baby was never going to learn to walk because you are always holding her! But she did soon learn to walk and took her first steps for me as well as her first words were dadda!
I feed her,gave her bottles, changed her diapers,bathed her,put her to bed,read to her,got her dressed and ready for preschool,raised her!
From age 10 months to 4 years old then her mom and I broke up and I didn't see her for 2 years but still had her new address so I stopped buy to drop off some disney books I had bought her and when my daughter saw me she yelled grandma open the door my daddy's here and I almost cried!
I try to spend as much time as possible with her but ex makes it hard for me constantly canceling my visits at the last minute when I am half way to her house which is 40 miles away!

we never got married but were engaged,i stayed over night at her house 4-6 nights a week but mantained my own residence.
when i met my ex her daughter was 2 months old,we dated for about 8 months before i met her daughter,but after we met we almost instantly bonded and she would cry if i didn't hold her. in fact my ex's mom used to joke with me that the baby was never gonna learn to walk because you are always holding her! but she did soon learn to walk and took her first steps for me as well as her first words were dadda!
i feed her,gave her bottles, changed her diapers,bathed her,put her to bed,read to her,got her dressed and ready for preschool,raised her!
from age 10 months to 4 years old then her mom and i broke up and i didn't see her for 2 years but still had her new address so i stopped buy to drop off some disney books i had bought her and when my daughter saw me she yelled grandma open the door my daddy's here and i almost cried!
i try to spend as much time as possible with her but ex makes it hard for me constantly canceling my visits at the last minute when i am half way to her house which is 40 miles away!


Its not likely but you can ask the courts for visitation. There is a bond and there is precident that she sees you as her dad. You have tried to be involved even after the relationship came apart. So in that respect its good. You need to file with the courts and present your argument there. It would be best with a lawyer at your side. It has been done in the past. So I can't say clearly there is no chance at all but at least there is one. It would be up to a judge to decide from there. Good Luck.

Thank you so much for this info,it is very helpful!
But what if I can not afford a lawyer?
I have volunteered in her first grade classroom a few times this year and brought cupcakes and juice to class on my daughters 6th birthday as well as attended some

I wish there were more men like you, that wanted to stand up and be the father when the child needs one.

But sadly there is little chance you will get any visits rights, unless the mother merely allows it, or would agree to it though courts. If not, it could be a long and fairly costly court batter

What is sad is a 6 year old girl is being raised by her 65 year old grand mother while her mom is out having a social life!
As well as canceling my visits at the last minute just to hurt me.