"Visit grandpa every chance that you can
It won't be wasted time
Always stay humble and kind"

-Tim McGraw

Many people have two sets of grandparents. Well, for me, I have a grandfather and a grandmother on my mother's side and a grandmother on my father's side. My father's mother passed away in 2009 and that left me with one set of grandparents. Growing up, my grandfather took me to theatre productions at a local playhouse, he took me to breakfast, and he supports me in everything and anything that I do. I consider my grandfather one of my best friends and here are my reasons why.

1. I can talk to him about anything

When I see my grandpa at our weekly breakfast at our favorite diner, we ask each other how our week went and I tell him what happened at school and then I ask him for advice about school or anything. He then tells me what I should do, how I should say it, and how I can change it, and although it may be a long conversation, I always get something out of it.

2. He was at everything that I was in

He always took pictures of my dance recitals that I didn't want to be there for, he was at every softball game, musical production, horse show, choir concert, you name it. My whole family was there but it was more special that he was there because my father is no longer with us. My grandpa didn't replace my dad but filled the void for me. When I needed a paternal figure, my grandpa stood up and took charge. When I showed my aunt's horse in previous years, my dad was there for one of two seasons. While my grandfather didn't know much about horse shows, he watched for my posture which helps A LOT. Now that I am on my school's equestrian team, he stands by that gate and tells me that I look good even when I feel like I didn't.

My grandfather also takes pictures of everything. When prom came around I had a perfect photographer that would take pictures AND give me and my friends physical copies! I would always have pictures of everything and he always takes the family Christmas card picture.

3. He has shown me how to be treated by a boy

Since my father passed away when I was 15 years old, my grandfather stepped up to the plate and showed me how to be treated by boys. My first boyfriend was when I turned sixteen and it was great at first but then it ended terribly. I would cry and we would fight so I ended it. My grandfather would tell me that we were right together at first and then towards the end, we grew up to be different people. Now with my current boyfriend, I realized that how he treats me is the correct way to be treated and my grandfather showed me that by demonstrating how he treats my grandmother.

My grandparents' love story was not like any other fairytale. They met in the library of William Patterson University. After that, they went on dates and my grandmother always wonders as to why she married him. But he always tells me the first girl he dated, he married. Of course, that doesn't happen nowadays but my grandparents have a love for each other that you don't see every day.

4. A grandfather's love is the most important thing in the world

When I was little, I was always close with my grandfather. I knew that he always had my back and he would defend me with every chance that he got. I was (and still is) his pride and joy. We would go to shows, to breakfast, he would take me driving, and he would do anything that he could for me. He even flew back from Florida where him and my grandmother stayed for the winter just so they could see my high school musical production. I was in the ensemble, so I didn't have any solos or lines. He has given me advice and wisdom and for that I am forever thankful.

Gramp, if you're reading this, I love you and thank you. Thank you for teaching me to love everyone and to give everything and everyone a chance.