Dear Busy Bodies-

I see the eye rolls I get when I talk about my car, my clothes, my gifts, my vacations, our second house, and how much I must be loved.

Before I discuss how I accumulated such nice things at such a nice age, allow me to explain my family history.

I was adopted at 3 months old. It was a long and tedious process, however my parents fought tooth and nail for me every. single. day. Junior year in high school, my father got hit by a car on his motorcycle and he was not supposed to live, never mind ever walk again. Senior year in high school, my mother had a brain aneurism.

I was your average student in school, I cared about my grades but not what I was learning. I did well, and went on to college dealing with a very difficult home life.

When college came up as a discussion at the dinner table, my mother said "I will pay for your school if you get an academic/athletic scholarship." As someone with a learning disability, I knew college would be a tedious task, but I accepted the challenge.

My parents have always paid for what I need as long as my grades stay up. At a very early age I learned the difference between wants and needs.

I applied to multiple colleges, getting many academic and athletic scholarships, but I did not want to go away. When I applied to Centenary, I received a very big academic scholarship that paid for 2/3 of my tuition. I found my school and I chose to commute.

I worked my way through college to have spending money to hang out with my friends. As long as my grades stayed up, my parents paid for my needs. Not a bad deal if you ask me. Actually, it's a pretty fair deal to a full time student who works part time.

Sophomore year in college, my mother bought herself a new car, and ended up giving it to me because my first car was getting old and unreliable. My mother is the most selfless person one will ever come across.

At the end of a rough junior year in college, my mother surprised me with yet another car. I never asked her for a new car. She said I deserved one with all the hard work I have been doing in school and she is proud that work is recognized. I did not ask for a new car. That is why I drive the car I do.

My material possessions come through gifts, not just from my parents, but from other family members as well. My parents take pride in how well I am doing in school given my past experiences with elementary and middle school.

I am an only child. I do not ask my parents for material possessions. What my parents chose to give me as gifts, rewards, and surprises is their decision. How my parents chose to spend their money is their business and their decision.

If I'm not concerned with how my parents pay for my things, you should not either.

Thank you for the interest in my life, however my parents financial situation is none of your business.

Next time you ask me how I drive such a nice car, maybe you should realize that what I have and how I accumulated it, is none of your business.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Someone who earns what she has.

P.S. To those who work 40+ hours a week, and pay for your car, and insurance, and rent, and college loans- I will ask you to do my budgeting when I am living on my own.