Growing up with your parents separated can be difficult at times, but it is a blessing, always.

You ever feel obligated to spend an equal amount of time with mom and dad? Or maybe you feel like you don’t spend enough time with each one? Holidays, days off of school, vacation time, weekends?

It gets hard deciding where to go and if you are young half the time it is decided for you.

My parents got a divorce when I was only fourteen months old, I don’t remember life without two separate families. Throughout my nineteen years I continue to learn how to manage with two families. I find myself constantly saying that I am a lucky one. Both my mother and father ended up finding who they were meant for and building another family. Although I have three sisters and one brother, I technically have no full blooded siblings. It makes me realize the meaning of love. It is not about having the stereotypically “perfect family” but it is about wholeheartedly caring for those who enter your life.

I never even think, “What if my parents were together”, it seems to be an absurd and selfish thought. Think of all the good that can be created; siblings, a happy parent, more family, and that means more love and people to care about.

Although I see the sad sides; you can’t spend Christmas morning with both parents, or you constantly have to check if there are enough tickets for special events, you don’t want both your families to feel awkward in the same place, you don’t like the idea of having to travel somewhere to see your parent.

But here’s a reality check to those kids out there that resent their parents for getting divorced: they weren’t happy, they wanted to find a real love, they created you and in that they share a love that can never be broken. Whatever the reasoning being for your parents split, there was one and I believe that every child should respect that and learn to love it. I say I have four parents because they all love me, they all care for me, and I feel the same. Learn to love whatever unfortunate event life throws at you because it happened for a reason and something beautiful can always come of that.

If my parents are reading this, I hope you know I have always supported your decision to split whether I remember or not, but needless to say I love the families that I have been given because of you two going separate ways, it has made me a part of who I am today and I am grateful for that. You have brought wonderful second parents into my life that I am forever happy to call my family.