They have loved us since we were born, but we have loved them our whole lives. If you think their hands are full with taking care of children and grandchildren, you should see their hearts, those are what are overflowing.

I have been blessed to experience the treasure and true art of 4 grandparents and boy can I say that I am so lucky. They have parented me, taught me and have become some of my best friends. After all, best friends don’t have age limits and neither does love.

They will bend over backwards for you, not physically due to some wear and tear but that’s okay. Let’s just say that both of my grandma’s have all of their grandchildren’s favorite meals on standby. A hamburger, salad (with not too many crazy veggies), and a sweet dessert is my treat every time they host me. Now tell me, what mom and dad would do that? This is what grandparents are for.

What place besides vacations can calories go out the window without any guilt? Grandma and Grandpa’s house, that’s where. Homemade chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, brownies and cinnamon rolls taste better when they are made on grandma’s counters anyways.

Mom and dad, you give great hugs don’t get me wrong. But for some reason, it is so much easier to melt into a hug when your grandparent is on the other end. Worries, stress and tears somehow just disappear when you are receiving a squeeze from the perfect person.

“What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life… and most importantly, cookies.” – R. Giuliano

Grandparents give their grandchildren the strengths and wisdom that time and experience has given them. Although I learned all of the naughty words from my grandpas, I also learned the most important lessons and values from them. When you hear your parents talk about life lessons, rolling eyes and zoning out is expected, but when a grandparent looks you in the eyes and tells you what they have learned, it is ingrained in you forever.

CHEESY SAYING ALERT: I wouldn’t be near the person I am today if it wasn’t for my grandparents. The moments I will treasure forever such as learning to sew with my grandma, riding the tractor with my grandpa and teaming up against my parents are unfathomable.

While they wouldn’t admit to spoiling grandchildren, they are just simply accommodating them, the overwhelming love practiced daily does not go unnoticed. If they had stars for every reason they love us, they would have the whole night sky and more. They love us. They love us unconditionally. When the world can’t seem to understand, your grandma’s there to hold your hand. Your grandpa is there to set standards of a man. Together, they are your biggest role models and your biggest fans.

Looking back, I wonder what you did with all of the weed bouquets I gave you when playing outside. I’m sorry for using the excuse, “Grandma/Grandpa said I could,” to give me an edge in an argument with my parents. Thank you for cleaning me up after you couldn’t say no to me when I wanted to jump in the mud. Thank you for answering all of my questions to the best of your ability, also sorry for asking “why?” every 30 seconds.

Together, grandchildren and grandparents create a chain of love linking the past with the future. This chain is likely to lengthen, but it will never break.

Grandma Connie, Grandpa Bill, Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Toddy,

Thank you.