Dear Mom and Dad,

It's been several years since you announced your separation to our family, and a few less years since you finalized your divorce. I have to say that I as I grew up and saw how many of my friends had separated parents, I never thought in a million years that would turn out to be my family's situation as well. They say that divorce is hardest on the kids, and that is probably true. I know that I reacted the worst out of us kids, and didn't handle the situation the way I should have. But at the same time, I also simply cannot imagine how further devastating it was for the two of you.

You were both unhappy for so long, and it breaks my heart to think of that. I took the love that you two openly shared in front of my siblings and I for granted for many years, and for that I am sorry. There's another saying that goes "You don't know what you have until it is gone." I am a firm believer in this statement - it is one of the blatant truths of life; you truly do not know the depth of what you have until you no longer have it. When your separation and divorce came about, I thought I had lost a family, and I couldn't fathom the thought of you both living separate lives, no longer together. All I could focus on for so long were the negatives and the things that I was losing -the parts of my life that would never be the same again. What I failed to do was see the positives. And now, even though it's been a few years, I am finally starting to accept what is and see the good that has come out of this. I am no longer thinking of what may have been lost, but rather, all that has been gained.

Through this long and tough process, you both have shown me the absolutely incredible strength of your person. You two are such beautiful and amazing people, together or separate. I always knew that you were the best of parents, and since going through all of this, I have seen it even more so. Mom and Dad, you have always been so great about putting your children first no matter what, and you have supported us through all of our ups and downs. Just because you may no longer be together, doesn't mean that this love and support for us changed at all - in fact - I believe that it became all the more stronger.

Both of you never failed to remind my siblings and I that we were still so very loved no matter what. And you have showed us this love through the endless ways that you both individually care for each one of us. I can clearly see that you two are happier, and at the end of the day, that is all us kids really want for you guys - for you both to find your happiness and have it tenfold.

Just recently, your efforts to support each one of us has been more evident than ever before. You have put aside your differences so that we can all spend time together as a family every once in a while, and that means the absolute world to my siblings and I. You travel long distances together just to come watch me do what I love all day long, and I cannot express how incredibly happy that makes me. You have both managed to remind me once again the utter and absolute importance of family - no matter what its situation and circumstance is.

So, Mom and Dad, the two people I love more than anyone, I am not here to condemn you, but rather to commend you. You both have handled the inevitable with more grace than I could ever imagine. Know that I do not resent you, but respect you for doing what was best for the both of you. This several-year separation road has certainly been tough for all of us, but now we are stronger from it. I have learned that family isn't just blood, but also a bond. It is never going to be perfect, yet it is still beautiful. I hope you both have found, or are on your way to finding that happiness that you so deserve. You have taught me the true definition of love and that ultimately nothing can break it. Even in the shadow of separation, a family's love doesn't have to be shattered - and in our case it isn't.

All My Love Forever and Always,

Your Daughter