Family is a big part of every person's life. They are the ones who support you, care for you, love you and help you grow into the person you become. Families are wonderful, but what is also wonderful is when you have a second family.

It is so special to be completely welcomed into another family. Whether it is the family of a significant other or a best friend, knowing that you are part of their family is a wonderful feeling. My best friend's parents consider me to be their fourth child. They care for me, love me and they have helped me grow as a person.

I'm lucky enough to have multiple support systems. My immediate family is amazing, but I also have a whole other family to love and care for me too. I never feel alone or like I have no one to turn to. I want to take this time to thank my second family for everything they do for me.

Thank you for taking an interest in my life and in what I do. Thank you for being involved and accepting me as part of your family, and always making me feel like home. Without you, I wouldn't be the person I am today because I wouldn't have had your guidance and your insight in my life. I'm so thankful that I met your child and welcomed her into my family, because I gained another family as well. I got your family and that has been such a gift in my life.

Thank you for always letting me spend the night at your house and for always being so happy to see me. I love seeing your friendly and warm faces.

Thank you for sending me texts encouraging me or simply asking how my day is going. Thank you for letting me know that I'm in your thoughts.

Thank you for keeping me part of your family even though I do not see you as often as I'd like to or because of the great distance.

Most importantly, thank you for giving me the gift of your love. Your love means a lot to me because it shows that family is more than just blood. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines family as "a group of people who are related to each other."

I think family is a lot more than that. I think family should include anyone who loves, supports, and cares for an individual. They are people who support an individual emotionally and physically. Family is a lot more than biological. A family consists of those who we allow into our hearts.

To my second family, thank you for allowing me into your hearts. You certainly have a place in mine.