To my ex’s parents,

All I can say is thank you for always being there, even after the break up. During the period of our relationship, you helped take part in raising me, even though you did not have to. After our breakup you were still there if I needed you and I appreciate that more than words can explain.

I will be honest, being introduced to you guys was the most terrifying moment of my life because I did not want to be anything but perfect for your son. However, I look back now and realize I had zero reason to be scared. You two are some of the most loving, selfless, and caring people in the world. It did not matter if it was coming to make sure I took medicine when I was sick, making sure I had all my homework done, or made sure I had an input on where we ate dinner or what movie we went to see. You took me in as your own when your son and I were dating. You made every weekend we traveled for hockey memorable, even when we drove all the way there for him to not even dress. Every weekend up north was a blast even if we just sat around and played yard games.

I would like to address each of you separately because you both made a relationship with me that was not dependent on the other.

To my ex's loving mother: first off, you are incredible and should get an award for everything that you do for everyone else. Second, thanks for letting me swoop right in and be another person your wonderful son cared about so much. Now where do I start, he was sick and I wanted to help make him feel better, he was hungry and asked for something to eat, or he was cold and wanted a blanket. Over and over again, I did all these things for him at first not thinking how you might feel. Eventually, I confided in your son on how I should back off because I realized how hard it is letting your “little man” have a girlfriend around all the time. I did not want to come between you two and I hope after our almost three year long relationship you never once felt I was trying to take away your pride and joy from you. We got close, I confided in you all the time, we took each other’s side when the guys wanted to watch football all Sunday and we wanted to watch TLC all day. When your son was being a stupid boy, you assured me everything would be alright. If it were not for you, there is no way I would have made it through my senior year of high school. You fought for me every day and loved me as if I was your own daughter and to be honest it felt like that sometimes. So thank you, for welcoming me into your home, letting me share your son, and for being one of my biggest role models as I move forward with life.

As for the father to my ex, thank you. Thank you for toughening me up by joking with me all the time. Yes, at first I would tell your son all the time that I hated it, but truth is, I did not hate it. I loved how you were comfortable enough with me to joke in all the ways you did. Thank you for making me watch sports because without that I probably would not have fallen in love with hockey. Thank you for all the times you did take my side. Thank you for taking cute pictures of your son and me so we would have them. You pushed me harder than anybody I know because you knew I had the ability to do great things in school and in life. We bonded over cooking (I do miss yours a lot), loving desserts, and most importantly your son. You are a very strong person and I admire you for that every day.

To the both of you, thank you for sharing your son with me. Thank you for supporting me, accepting us, sharing holidays with me, and most importantly loving me. Thank you for all the trips everywhere: up north, hockey weekends, snowboarding trips (even though I hung out with you guys all day because I cannot snowboard). You two are some of the greatest parents. I will always be appreciative of everything you have done for me. I hope after this over a year of your son and I being broken up you guys know I never took you for granted and I never will. I miss you two terribly and if you ever need anything, I am only a phone call away.

Sincerely,

Your son's ex