Long before you got your own apartment and car, someone had to drive you around and give you a place to sleep. On a normal day, your own parents did that for you, and we tell our parents how thankful we are for them all the time. However, there is another woman who is deserving of your endless gratitude: Your best friend’s mom. Next time you see them, give them a hug and a foot massage.
To My Best Friend’s Mom,
When I think about who shaped my childhood most, of course I think of my blood family and dearest friends, but I also think about you. Even though you already had the position of full-time mom under your belt, you decided to add on another to your family.
Thank you for allowing a friendship between your daughter and me to grow. Maybe we could have been friends without your support, but you shuttling us from house to house, to the mall and back, really made a world of difference. Thank you for feeding me, housing me and letting me use your Internet so your daughter and I could stay up all night playing games.
You have always treated me as a family member and for that I am eternally grateful. You have helped teach me family doesn’t end with blood and love can be unconditional. If your daughter and I had an argument one week, you still welcomed me back with open arms the next. You allowed me to spend holidays with your family, which is where some of my fondest memories come from.
Thank you for teaching me the lessons that I was too stubborn to learn from my mom. And for not telling her when I didn’t follow those lessons. And for still finding the time to check in and see how those lessons are working out.
Thank you for introducing me to Eggo’s French toast waffles, bringing me soup when I was sick and helping to steer me away from dumb boys who wanted to break my heart. Thank you for knowing before anyone else that I may have had an eating disorder.
You didn’t get annoyed when you heard the same Fall Out Boy song for the hundreth time that day. You didn’t get mad when we made you suddenly drive us 30 miles to Chicago for an expensive concert. You didn’t yell when we made you drive 30 miles again to take us back home.
Without you, my rebellious stage might have lasted a lot longer, I may have had even more haircuts and colors that I regret, and maybe I wouldn’t have the type of friendships that stay strong no matter where life takes me. Your daughter and I have a lasting friendship because you put in so many hours of sweat and lost sleep. So thank you.
Thank you for everything from the past. Thank you for everything in the present. Thank you for everything to come.
Love always,
Your [basically] adopted daughter
