When my father and my stepmother first got married, we did not get along. Constantly fighting about anything and EVERYTHING. We didn't agree on much, actually we disagreed on just about everything in some way or another. We drove my father crazy with the bickering.

Then I decided to spend one summer out of state with my grandmother and the craziest thing happened. I actually missed her. Despite the constant fighting and disagreements, I missed seeing and talking to her. When the summer came to an end and I finally went home, things were different. I realized that we weren't fighting because we hated each other or even because we didn't like each other, we were fighting because we were so much alike we clashed.

After that everything was different. Random drives to get milkshakes at 11 P.M. were nearly a weekly thing and I felt as if I could tell her anything. I didn't have to worry about judgement or being alone because she was there and understood. When I had issues with my anxiety she was the first person I knew I could go to that would completely understand and know what to do. She became part of my backbone and my support system. I've always been very close with my dad, and she joined right along with him. Now if I have a problem or need advice or just need to feel okay, she's one of the very first people to pop into my head to call.

I know that no matter what were to happen, she will always be there if I need a shoulder or even some words or advice. She's taught me more than she will ever know and we haven't even gotten to the super hard stuff yet.