During my elementary school years, most of my classmates were confused to hear that I had eight grandparents. Most kids had married parents and their parents' parents were celebrating a milestone anniversary. This was not the case for my sister and I. Our family tree has many split branches: divorced parents who both come from divorced parents, which equals a grand total of eight grandparents. Most kids would say, "Lucky! You get way more birthday and Christmas presents!" This is true, my sister and I were fortunate to have a surplus of cards and presents. However, grandparents are so much more than gift-givers. They are the four, biological role models (besides your parents) who should play an active role during every year that you have together. As we know, that is not the case for every family.
*Enter in the step-grandparents of the world* The spouses of your grandmother or grandfather enter the family and gain children and grandchildren that are not theirs, and are able to choose how close of a relationship they want to have. A step-grandparent makes the decision to enter, stay, and be apart of their new family's life. In my family, we have four step-grandparents, but this article spotlights one of my step-grandfathers, who is much more than a "step". His name is Andy, but we are lucky enough to call him our Pop Pop.

Here's to you, Pop Pop and all of the other wonderful Step-Grandparents out there!

1. You did not have to like us.
But you do. You don't just say hi to us at parties and then say bye and, "how great it was seeing you". That would never, and has never happened. The moment we are together, either at your house or a family gathering, you find us and need to know every update since the last time we talked on the phone or saw each other. It is not out of obligation either, you genuinely care and want, no, need to know what is going on in all five of your grandchildren's lives.

2.You are hands-on.
Everyone knows you love playing golf, traveling, and watching "Jeopardy". You have passed on your interests to us by sharing experiences and encouraging us to try new things. You sparked my love for seafood in 2007, during our vacation to Cancun. You have passed your love of traveling on to me, and I love swapping stories with you about our European experiences. Most importantly, you have encouraged me to become a teacher and I am eternally grateful.

3. You are very protective.
"Please call me as soon as you get home. I mean it, Lauren."
"Call me if you get lost or something happens. I don't care how far away you are."
"YOU'RE NOT EATING ENOUGH DINNER. Give her more to eat."
You are always making sure that your grandchildren are safe and happy. I can't tell you how comforting it feels to have someone care that much about us, besides our parents and grandmothers, of course.

4. You are appreciated more than you will ever know.

I am a 21-year-old who loves sharing stories about her grandparents, and will choose to spend a weekend at your house instead of at school. There is a reason for that. I want you to know that you are so influential in my life, and I enjoy spending time with you.
I know that I can depend on you for anything, whether it is to tell me why the Eagles have an "off week", and I can't get my free iced coffee the next day or to tell me how proud you are of my GPA, you will always be a phone call away.

5. You are present.

You do not miss graduations, Proms, or significant events. You are there, and more importantly, you want to be there. The look on your face at my sister's college graduation said it all. It was pure pride that shaped your smile. You were the one who kept updating us on where she was in line and how many people were infront of her, as she waited to walk across the stage. I cannot wait until I walk across the stage next December, and receive my teaching degree from the university where you obtained your Master's Degree. I know you will be there. I know you will be at our weddings, but only if you give your stamp of approval of our husbands. I know you will be there to share your wisdom with your future, great-grandchildren.

6. Thank you.

Thank you for choosing my grandmother to marry. Thank you for treating her children and their children like your own. Thank you for pacing infront of the window before each of our arrivals. Thank you for giving me a nickname, Flavia, and letting me call you Flavio, or "Flavs" for short. Thank you for not laughing when I walked into a sliding, glass door in Florida. Thank you for making all of us feel comfortable coming to your home whenever we want. Thank you for wanting and choosing to be our grandfather. Thank you for loving us unconditionally. We love you, too.

Love your second grandchild,

Flavia