Dear Nessie,

When we first met I was a 15-year-old girl living with an abusive stepfather. My grades and focus could use a little bit of work, and I had pretty bad attendance.

But I think you saw me for who I was.

You noticed that I still had a pretty nice attitude and did care deeply for my peers. You saw my talents, and took an interest in me from day one.

I was 17 when my life went to absolute hell. I no longer had a place to live; I lost everything. I was a teenager with a rough past and a pretty bad hand of cards dealt to her. Many teachers pitied me or avoided my story because it was disturbing. No one wants to talk about domestic abuse or kicked-out children.

But you took a chance. You saw that I was going to be homeless and probably fail out of high school, so unlike most adults in my life, you decided to take care of me.

You opened your home to me.

You let me be a sister to your daughters.

You allowed me to hog your dog on the couch.

You drove me to all my appointments.

You taught me how to love broccoli.

There were days when I wished I was back at my old home simply because this new life was scary. But nothing I had compared to the times where you and I shared ice cream and laughed about people who took themselves too seriously. I had to change schools to live with you, but this move allowed me to obtain much better grades and friends.

I am now 19 years old and go to college. I call you when I have time and I will be seeing you this Christmas break. I have an amazing apartment with some equally amazing roommates. I am having a great time here. But when I have a hard day, I still hear your voice. I still smell all the homemade meals you made me when I am cooking ramen. But most of all, on days when I really want to give up, I think about the day you first met me. I remind myself that you must have seen something in me, and in that very moment, I am home.