To the Grandmother who didn't have to choose me:
You did not have to love me the way you do. You did not find my Grampa just to find his crazy granddaughter. You did not have to become one of my greatest friends. But you did.
I'll never forget meeting you for the first time. You got out of the car, and immediately hugged my dad, then my mom, then my sister and myself. You didn't say anything. Tears just ran down your smiling face, and we were complete. You and my grandfather were so happy that day. And I was so happy that you had begun to enter the family.
You took me to get my second holes in my ears.
You share my love of Target.
You helped me pick out my first pair of cowboy boots.
You take me to all of the good thrift stores.
You teach me how to quilt, while being 1,200 miles apart.
You hold all of my deepest secrets in your heart.
You love me unconditionally, even though you don't have to.
My favorite part of seeing family, is seeing you. (Don't tell Grampa.)
You are by far the strongest person I know. And I look forward to the moments that I can call you to ask for advice, or just to chat. You have held my hand in moments of sorrow, and you have hugged me and dried my tears when I've faced trials. You have shown me ways to love without hesitation. And you have given me honesty when I needed it. Learning from you has been a joy. Seeing you grow in love with my family has been an honor. Sleeping beneath the quilts that you have made for me has been a blessing.
So thank you. Thank you for giving my grandfather a chance. Thank you for accepting his crazy tribe as your own. Thank you for loving his children and grandchildren more than we deserve. Thank you for the last ten years! You are my inspiration. I love you.
Ps... it still blows my mind that we are not related by blood. Because you are my Grandma. Nothing could ever change that.