Dear Mom and Dad,

I've never told you this, but thank you for getting divorced. I'm sure it was a difficult choice to make, but you did the right thing. Don't ever think that you "damaged" us by separating. You didn't. I appreciate your decision for a number of reasons:

When people learn that my parents are divorced, they usually say "I'm sorry". But they shouldn't be in my case. My parents got divorced when I was six years old. I barely remember it. I'm sure it's harder for people who have lots of memories of their parents together. People who grew up in a household with both of their parents who get divorced at an age they can remember deserve a sorry. Having my parents live in different states is something I grew up with, it's a norm in my life. There's no need to be sorry. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not saying that divorce is a positive thing, but in some situations it is the best thing.

Seeing you, my parents, happy is the most important thing. It makes me happy to see both of you happy. I'm so glad that you both found someone and that things are working out well. I don't remember ever wishing that you guys would get back together. I never plotted any "Parent Trap" type moves. I always just accepted that things didn't work between you two. I would rather see you happy and apart than miserable and together on any day.

I learned a lot about family. I got to have two families instead of just one. When I was with Dad, I got the big family experience with all five of my siblings.

When I was with Mom, I got the small family experience with only two.

From this, I have been exposed to so many kinds of situations and sibling dynamics. I've learned twice how to define a family and twice how to mesh two families into one. I should have been the star of a sitcom because I went through it all with my brothers, sisters and parents. These experiences will be invaluable when I have a family of my own someday.

I met tons of people and had tons of experiences. I wouldn't be who I am today or where I am today if you had stayed together. Double the parents means double the family, double the people I have gotten to meet since my parents were in completely different social networks. This means I have more stories and experiences than most people, and I thank you for that. I have learned so many things from my parents, step-parents and their various friends and family. If you had stayed together, my experiences would have been more limited.

Thank you for getting divorced, because it was the right thing to do in your situation. It may have made everything different- but I believe that it is a good different. I sincerely thank you for separating instead of constantly fighting and being miserable together. I'm so glad that you two are happy now, and I'm thankful for everything that you gave to me by not being together. What is normal anyway? I would choose my two crazy families over a single miserable one every day.