Really, all I can think to say is thank you.

A little over three years ago I wouldn’t have ever guessed I’d be walking into such a welcoming, goofy, fun, and loving family. I didn’t know I would be able to walk into your house for the upcoming years without hesitation on whether or not I should knock and wait. I didn’t know I could yell “I’m home!!” without it being questioned.

I never knew I was going to become close with my boyfriends' siblings, let alone close enough to feel like they are my own. I had no clue I was gaining a second set of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and what seems like 50 more cousins.

I didn’t know I’d find my Black Friday shop-til-you-drop partners.

I never would’ve thought I’d be asked to be a part of such a special wedding for such a special couple.

I didn’t know that every summer you’d tote me up north with you where we’d have fun floating (and scorching) down the river, staying up late listening to people sing around the campfire, and for sure didn’t realize we’d have more than just a few small freak-out-fests in the outhouse every time we saw a giant spider. (I also didn’t know there was a rule that the shortest person to the ground is the one required to pick up the sticks… the more you know)

I had never in my life seen such a big Christmas (and still haven’t seen one that tops it), with such a big family, and I consider myself blessed that I am now included in that.

I had never heard such a long birthday song, (It has like… three verses) or celebrated multiple birthdays on one occasion with some turning 21 and others turning 11 because the family is that big.

I feel as If I was blessed with a whole second side of life. Things with your family are so similar, yet so different than with mine, and I love it that way. I get love and fun chaos from both.

I recall a few different times being around all of you and thinking about how much different my life would be without all of the extra love, and all of the extra fun and festivities. There is seriously never a dull moment.

I am wholeheartedly blessed to be a part of all of your lives and am thankful every day to have you all in mine.

When we’re out in public, others wouldn’t even guess I am not blood-related. (Other than the fact I am 5’0” tall and I’m walking with people ranging from 5’8” to 6’8”...but other than that I don’t think it’s too noticeable)

I have never felt awkward or felt as If I couldn’t be myself around any of you.

And to my second set of parents, thank you for raising such an amazing son. He might be a pain to all of us sometimes, and his farts may clear a room, but he is seriously my best friend. I have never met somebody like him, and that all goes back to you. (I’m talking about the one I'm dating, but his brothers pretty cool, too.)

So, to all of you, thank you. I don’t really think I can imagine a bigger blessing than having not only one family but two. There’s not a single family other than my own that I’ve ever fit so well into. I love you all, and with more than words can describe, I am thankful for you.