As a child, I watched the majority of my friends enjoy the perks of both of their parents: always having a parent (if not both) at their music recitals, having an abundance of Christmas gifts to show off after the holidays, and I often found myself questioning “Why me?”

I struggled with this question a lot, but after some time, I realized this was how things were meant to be. I began to understand that my family of my brother, mother and I was just as special as one that included both parents. My mother had to work hard to provide for the three of us, but in the end, it definitely paid off.

So Christmas’ were always skimpy with the gifts, but that isn’t supposed to be the point of the holiday anyways. It always left room for decorating the Christmas tree and reminiscing about what we did the previous year. The best gift I got every Christmas was knowing that my mom loved our family enough for two.

At some point, I began to notice that I had friends who would comment on the fact that I lived in a single parent household. Some did not quite understand what is was like, other simply understood but pointed out the fact that it was different than the average family. All I knew was that I was okay with it because it made me the person who I am today.

Growing up with a single parent taught me so many thing, but above all, it taught me that you can do whatever you put your mind to, even raising a kid or two by yourself. My mom has showed me even when it does not seem like it, there’s always a way. I would be lying if I said I never caught her struggling to figure out how we were going to make it through while also continuing to be strong for my brother and I. As I got older, I realized that sometimes even she needed some additional encouragement and a positive word or two to help her along the way.

So when Father's day comes around, yes I send my mother that “Happy Father’s Day!” text, because for the past 21 years, she has earned it. I always thought it’s hard for mothers to teach their children everything they need to know, but then I began to think about my mom and know it must be twice as difficult to teach 2 kids what they need to know for life with only one parent. But somehow, she continues to do it.

So while I understand people who grew up in a home with both of their parents are lucky, I know that I’m just as lucky as well, because I know my mom is not as strong as the average mother. She somehow made the impossible, possible and for that I will always be eternally grateful for everything that she does and continues to do for me.