I know that some parents choose to not be there for their kids and that makes me so furious. In my situation, my mom did not get to choose whether she was here for me or not. Even though she can't be here with me today, I'm so lucky to say I get the next best thing. This one's for you. The person who chose to be there for me.

I want to start off by saying thank you. Thank you so much. I know when you were my age you didn't plan on life going the way it has. I know it hasn't been easy (and I haven't made it the easiest for you either) but I'm more thankful for you then you will ever know. Life takes every single one of us in unexpected turns and obstacles. I didn't know at such a young age how much everything would affect me in the long run but you have made such a positive impact on my life that I don't know what I would have done without you.

After losing my mom, I wasn't sure if my dad would ever be happy again. Months passed and I rarely saw him smile or laugh. He was the person who mattered most to me and I was so scared that he would never be happy again until you walked in. Leading up to the night I met you, I could see Dad acting differently. He was more cheerful and his attitude toward life was picking up. Then one day he introduced me to you. On that night, nothing else mattered except how happy my dad was. All I cared about was seeing him happy again and you did that.

Before I know it, Dad is happy with life again and you're getting married and moving in. Everyone around us thought things were moving kind of fast but no one on the outside asked my opinion. I didn't think things were moving fast at all. I loved having you around. I needed you to be there because not only did you make my dad happy but you made me happy as well. For the first time in years I had someone I could come to and trust with teenage girl problems. I know it wasn't your plan to have to raise another teenage girl but I'm so thankful that you decided to. I honestly don't know where I would be if it wasn't for you.

In a way, you saved me and my dad from ourselves. We were destructive after we lost my mom and you were like a light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. Not only did you bring joy back into our lives but your family blessed us as well. I didn't realize how important your family would be to me in the long run and I can honestly say that it feels as if I've been a part of your family for my entire life. They welcomed me and my dad in with open arms. I became a sister and an aunt and I love it more than anything. Having your family as my family has been one of the best things to ever happen to me.

We have had this talk before and I know that you will never replace my mom. But I call you my "fill-in" parent because that's essentially what you are. You are so much more to me than a step mom. You are the person who has taken over for my mom since she can't be here. You have filled in for her. You haven't replaced her but you're definitely the next best thing. I know I don't thank you enough and I don't show how much I appreciate you enough but I really do appreciate every single little thing that you have ever done for me. From holding me while I cry over some stupid boy to celebrating my 21st birthday to giving me motherly advice about life, I thank you for everything. No one could ever replace you. I love you so much. Thank you for putting up with me all these years and for everything you do for me. It's truly a blessing from God to call you my step-mom or "fill-in" mom and I couldn't be more proud that it's you either. I love you.