Dear my second pair of parents,

First off, thank you for raising my best friend! They have become someone to turn to at any time. They are the ears to listen, the shoulder to cry on and the mouth to speak advice and reason. Thank you for raising someone who likes weird things, speaks their mind, isn’t afraid to go a little wild and does their own thing. Thank you for treating me like I’m one of your own! I know raising my best friend was hard, but you still took the time to make me part of the family. Thank you for allowing me to just show up unannounced at your home. Thank you for letting me eat all of your food and even join you for big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Thank you for supporting me in everything I do and offering advice when I needed it. You always asked how my grades were and how school and life were going. You still do whenever I get to come home and visit. You showed up to support me at band concerts, when I sang at church or even just a random text to ask how college is going. Thank you for always being down to grab a meal to catch up with my family and me. Just being able to sit around a table, eat and talk was always a nice time.

Thank you for being my second family. You always provided a safe space for me to come if I needed an escape from school or just my parents and siblings. You’ve rejoiced with me in the good times and you’ve cried and comforted me during the bad times. I know you’re always there to help and support me through anything I do in life. So thank you for being you and for giving me my best friend!

With much love,

The child that was never your own