Hi there,

We both know that you're not my "real" mom, as subjective as that term is, but Mother's Day is coming up, and I don't want you to think I've forgotten you. I know I've lovingly, jokingly, and longingly called you mom several times over the years. You've always smiled at me and accepted it with a motherly hug or even just a knowing look across the room, and I want to make sure that this Mother's Day, you know how grateful I am to have been a part of your family. Even though I am not and never will be your child biologically, your open heart has made all of the difference in my life.

I know I don't say it enough, probably because I don't see you enough, just in between visits home and seeing your other children, but I love you and I love everything that you've offered me. You've welcomed me into your home without so much as a fight and allowed me to participate as an active member of your family. I am grateful for the lessons you've taught me in forgiveness and trust, even if it was sometimes about learning how to forgive and trust your children—or even better, myself. You've never let the fact that I wasn't born into your family, that I was not carried in your womb, stop you from offering me the same love that you've offered your biological children. As often as I've called you mom, you've probably introduced me to your friends as yet another one of your kids.

I've spent an awful lot of time in my life being upset that I will never have a biological mom to call when things get tough or have someone to reach out to when I just want to cry and listen to someone comfort me—but those are selfish thoughts. Because for each of those times that I cried alone and I wished for a mom, I should have known that I could call you. Because even though you aren't my mom, you're someone's mom, and you've loved me as if I were one of your own.

This Mother's Day, you'll probably receive gifts and cards from children who you raised and who love you with every ounce of their heart, but you should also know I appreciate you too. I love you with every ounce of my heart. You are so brave and admirable for accepting a stranger into your family and treating me like I belonged there, and I am so thankful for everything you've ever done to make me feel wanted, loved, and important. I can't think of a single thing anyone has ever done for me that is more impactful than this love you've shown me. You're not the woman who I called "Mom," first, but you are one of the women who I've loved since. I'm grateful for every moment you've spent loving me too.

Sincerely,

The Not-Quite-Your-Daughter.