Forget saying "I love you" as being the most important thing in a relationship. It's meeting the family! Nerves, excitement, and ultimately anticipation of how the events would play out filled my mind and body as I walked towards the front door. Will they like me? Do I hug them?! What if they don't like me? Is there anything in my teeth?!

The front door was unlocked, and as the knob turned, I took the biggest breathe in. This was it. This was a big deal! And this was a first for me.

Fast forward to nearly a year later and I can say that all of those questions and doubts in my mind have completely disappeared. In fact, I haven't had those concerns since before that front door opened.

So, to the family who has adopted me as their own, this one is for you.

Thank you. Thank you for making me feel welcome the first time we met. The hugs were reassurance that I was doing the right thing. Your kind words eased my heart, and I could finally exhale. It is one thing to get one person to like you, let alone a family of seven and then some!

Thank you for the stories that were shared that made me feel at ease. As baby pictures were being passed around and shared, so were laughs! Without knowing you all, I felt right at home.

I didn't feel like an outsider, instead I felt like a part of the family. I wasn't just "the girlfriend". You've allowed me to be more than that.

Finally I want to thank you for raising the man who has played such an important role in my life. And thank you for showing me that families never get smaller, only bigger.