Today, I want to speak to you. You who are always there for me with love and kindness. The ones I can’t wait to call to share my good news, or the ones I can call if I’m facing a problem in my life. The ones to whom I entrust my children without worry and with complete confidence. The ones I love deeply.
You’ve been in my life forever—or almost forever. I’m lucky to have grown up with you by my side. To have been able to take some of your values and passions and make them a part of my life. You gave me unforgettable moments when I was a child. You guided and supported me through my teenage years without any judgment. And today, you stand by me as I navigate motherhood.
You’re kind and caring. You give me advice, but you’re also okay with me doing things my own way. You’re just as close to my children as their grandparents are. You love them, listen to them, and protect them gently.
Together, we can talk about anything and always feel comfortable doing so. Buying a new car, trying out a new recipe, the consequences we give the kids for their mischief, the latest TV show, the trip we’ll be taking soon, our budget, our flaws, our values, and so on.
I love our completely crazy bursts of laughter. Our dinners that stretch into the wee hours of the morning—sometimes with a little too much alcohol. I love our tender moments, when we tell each other how much we love one another and our eyes well up. I love it when you hold me in your arms. I feel so good there, just like when I was a little girl.
I love the childhood memories I have with you. All the little things that seemed so ordinary when they happened, but that today hold such great importance in my mind and in my heart.
I don’t call you Mom and Dad. My children don’t call you Grandma or Grandpa. But in our lives, you hold just as big a place. In our hearts, you’re just as important.