Dear Other Mom,

You know which one I am talking about, right? Not sure? Well, 'other mom' could really mean a lot of things: step-mom, adopted mom, and so many others.

This letter is kind of to my adoptive moms, but I still love my original mom who gave birth to me and raised me for 20 years and is my best friend and always will be. She will always have the top spot as she as always been my rock, my shoulder, my personal cheerleader, the one that has embarrassed me on my seventh birthday party.

These moms are those who helped my mom when she could not be there to pick me up from practice, those who took me to dance rehearsals when neither of my parents could, those who offered their homes to me when I needed somewhere to go, and--most importantly--those who loved me like I was your actual daughter.

You never think you would have to say 'other mother' unless your parents got divorced and your dad got married to someone you can kind of tolerate. These 'other moms' saw me grow up, helped me in some way through my journey, gave me some advice when I needed some, and gave me something to laugh about when it seemed like the sun had gone away.

When I sit down and think about it, I have to thank the military for half of them, because these other moms were also my mom's best friend who helped her make sure I stayed on the straight and narrow. These moms had a little something in them where I knew if I was friends with their daughers/sons, there was a 50 percent chance that my parents would kind of like them.

Even with all the moving I did with the military, these moms are still there for me. Sending me their best wishes as I make the grades, make the teams that I wanted to make, and any other accomplishments in my life, even though they did not raise me.

To those moms who took me in when I needed somewhere to be: Thank you.

To those moms who spoiled me on family holidays when I couldn't go home to my family: Thank you.

To those moms who took me under their wing and gave me the wisdom that I needed to be the person I am today: Thank you.

To those moms that helped out my family when we needed a home to live in during a terrible storm: Thank you.

To those moms who made me laugh and smiled with my parents when we were all there to see me achieve in something: Thank you.

Thank you for taking on a role that you do not have to take up because your hands are already full with your kids.

Thank you for feeding me and giving me memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Sincerely,

Your Other Daughter