I was only two years old when my parents got divorced. I have no memory of them together and I have always seen them as individuals. I was never the kid to grow up praying my parents got back together. I grew up thinking my dad had his own house and my mom had her own. I lived with my mother and saw my dad two days a week and every weekend. My parents were never at constant war. They have always had a great relationship as parents and I thank them every day for never growing up in a hostile environment. In them, I saw and understood what respect, honesty, and good communications skills all were. Growing up with divorced parents made me grow just a little bit faster. I never believed in fairy tales and the realities of life never really seem to surprise me.

Here are the top 10 things I learned:

1. Being Independent.

Growing up having divorced parents taught me how to deal with problems going on by myself. If something bothered me there was no time to call my parents and make them stress about it. I somehow always managed to deal with my problems on my own. I am so thankful I never relied on my parents to get to were my dreams at the moment where. "The only thing more beautiful than the women that knows what she wants, is the women who isn't waiting on anybody else to get it for her."

2. Two Different House, Two Different Set of Rules.

Growing up having two houses was super cool. I had my dad's house in one city and my mom's house in the other. ( I still do) My brother and I over the years learned the routine in every house and what things we could get away with in each house. In my dad's house we live by the book. We have an eating time, we always have things plans and everything just kind of flows. In my mom's house we just go with the flow. There is no routine. We could wake up at 12pm and just get IHOP. Two totally different lifestyles, but we just learn over the years to adjust.

3. Sadness Is Inevitable During Holidays.

Having a joint custody meant dividing up my holidays. TO ALL DIVORCED PARENTS: IT NEVER GETS EASY! and for children how are spending the holiday away from the other parent; IT'S NOT EASY FOR THEM EITHER!!!! I though during the years I'd grow out of the sadness, but it seems to only get worst. Yes, getting more gifts is a plus (all my friends with non-divorced parents always seem to bring this up) , but it's always a bittersweet feeling on the inside.

4. The "How Many Sibling Do You Have?" Question.

Having to do the math between the siblings your parents have, the siblings their new couples already had, the siblings your stepparent and parent decided to have together is always a "Yours, Mine and Ours" kind of scenario.

5. Having a Big Family.

Twice the love, Twice the Family. Calling them an "expended family" would be an insult. They are my family because they choose to accept, love, and treat me like there own. I always laugh when people ask me "How are you two cousins?" and then we have to explain "My dad is married to her aunt" and people's quick response is always "Oh you too kind of look alike now that I notice". PEOPLE STOP LYING, WE KNOW WE DON'T LOOK ALIKE AND THAT'S OKAY. Family is MORE than blood. Family is the people who do anything to see you smile and who love and respect you no matter what.

6. Permission Is Always a Mission.

When I was 13 years old I decided I wanted to get my second piercing done. I asked my mom since I was with her at the moment. She said I had to ask my dad, therefore I asked my stepmother. After my stepmom have me yes then I asked my dad. The same process happens every time I get a new piercing. Piercings take a two week notice.

7. The Name Calling.

I live with my dad and his wife. She has been my stepmom ever since my parents divorced. She's always been my stepmom, but always called her by her name. After time passed I learned that it's okay to call her mom. Calling her mom doesn't mean I love her more than my real mom. It's just easier since I live with her. My friends are always "Is it your real mom or your mom from home?"

8. Growing Close To My Brother.

My brother and I grew up in the same boat. We grew up very close because he's just a year younger than me. He understands every struggle I go through and keeps me sane. He keeps me young and every time we are together I feel 10 years old again. I know he has my back 100% and so do I. I would do anything in the world to see him happy because he deserves it more than anyone.

9. Sometimes Love Is Not Enough.

I've always been scared of relationships. I have always been so independent and having to open up about everything that has happened to me scares me. It scares me because that person could just walk out of my life at anything. When I had my first relationship I was very happy. I was dating a person who was humble and who respected the way I was and respected my family. Growing up means taking different directions and unfortunately that happened to us. We grew apart and sometimes love is not enough to stay together. I am glad that we grew apart because it made me find passions I was limiting myself.

10. Accepting Things I Can't Change.

Accepting things how they are. No matter how much we try to change things or pray for them to change, something are just meant to be. Dwelling on them will not change anything. I use to have a teacher in elementary school who always say "Take a deep breath… Go with the flow… Just do your best… Show what you know!" After that I learned to live by this.