To Those Who Don’t Understand:

I see you judging me because my family isn’t “normal.” I get it. It’s not what the TV shows portray as perfect, and it goes against some people’s morals/religious beliefs. But one thing is important to note here: I didn’t choose this life. I didn’t make any decision of who my family was, just like you.

I didn’t choose to pack up all of my belongings and switch houses every week. I didn’t choose to have to pick which holidays I see which family members. I didn’t choose to watch one parent be saddened by the other. I didn’t choose for my parents to each make a new family. But it happened.

And it didn’t JUST happen. It changed my life.

Every phase my family went through changed me in a different way. Each addition to our crazy family tree effected my entire being. I had to handle losing some of my parent’s attention to these strangers. I had to re-learn how to live in a home with my parent because my new family members had different routines. Each addition moved the spine of my life into a little more of an abstract shape.

It may sound bad, but don’t you dare feel sorry for me.

I get to experience a family life that “normal families” don’t have. Instead of having two support systems, I have four. Instead of only having blood siblings, I get to have a variety of sibling types and relationships. I don’t live a life where everything stays the same. I’ve had people be birthed, adopted, and married into my family. With each new life sparks a new love, even if it’s hard at first.

I get to have diversity. I get to show others that it’s okay to live differently than what TV shows portray as perfect. I get to open up love to those who live in odd circumstances because I know what it’s like to live uniquely.

I am a more well-rounded person because of my blended family. I couldn’t imagine a life without each and every one of my blood and non-blood family members. There are many things you can say, but please don’t say my family isn’t “normal” because it’s normal to me. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.

So, you’re right. I don’t have a “white picket fence” life; I have something better.