I am lucky to think of my mom as my best friend. I have never wanted to be the kid that complains when their mom wants to know things. My mom gets to hear about what I did with my friends the night before, while some parents stay up all night trying to find that out. I never avoid her calls because usually I am calling her first. My mom gets to hear about my first kiss and the first time I had sex because she wants me to trust her, and I do. My ability to open up to her about even the most personal details of my life have allowed us to form a bond so many parents never have with their children.

I remember the first few weeks of college and everybody's mothers were calling constantly. To a bunch of them, that was annoying, but to me that was sweet. I remember my mom not answering and sitting by the phone until she called back. I'm her best friend, and she is mine.

When she spent seven years trying to have another kid and was blessed with twins, I was so happy for her. When she saw them for the first time and cried, it made me cry. It was my favorite day because my mom was happy. My mom had me, and I had her. Since the moment I was born, she has been my favorite person. My mom will always be my favorite person.

Some people only have one parent. Some people only have a mom. I only have a mom. Then some people search their whole lives for an absent biological father or mother to reconnect with. I never felt that need. I forgave my biological father for leaving me a long time ago. If he didn't leave then my life would not be as amazing as it is now. I would not have the chances I have received. I wouldn't have a wonderful adopted dad that loves me like his very own, and I wouldn't have three amazing best friends to call my siblings.

I have heard the story a billion times—the story of what kind of dad my biological father would have been. This is how it goes. My Mom is sitting there during a huge storm, holding me in the bathroom. She is still a teenager and alone with a baby. Her husband is somewhere partying and hasn't been home for a while. The thing about moms is that they always want what is best for you. The thing my mom didn't know is that if I could have told her to leave, to get up, run, be strong, and be happy for herself, I would have told her to move on, to find a better guy, and a happier life. I am so proud she finally made that decision on her own.

I'm glad he left us that day when the partying called him away, and he couldn't find the strength to come back. I'm glad there was a horrible storm, and yes, I am even glad that my mother was so hurt by his actions. If she wasn't then she wouldn't have moved in with my grandparents and met Jarrod, my dad. Yeah, that's bolded for a reason.

He is my dad. The person who met my mom with a two-year-old and thought she walked on water. That is my dad. The person who a week into dating her watched Barney with me. That is my dad. The person who has taken me to Disney several times. That is my dad. The person who ran me to the emergency room when I had my first seizure. That is my dad. The person who provides for us so that we could afford my epilepsy medication. That is my dad. The person who was at my graduation. That is my dad. The person who moved me into my first apartment. That is my dad. The person who inspired me to get my adoption date tattooed on my wrist. That is my dad.

The man who conceived me may be my biological father, but he is not my dad. That man though deserves all my gratitude. I'm glad you made the choices to go out and be reckless. I'm glad you decided that spending all your time with me wasn't important. Hell, I am glad you brought me into this amazing world. You gave me and my mom a chance to meet the greatest man I know. Because of your decisions, my dad was able to marry my mom and give her three of the coolest siblings a girl could wish for. Eventually, you were able to do that, too—you went off and met someone else. Then you two gave me another sibling to love, and I can't wait for the day to meet her, too.

I owe you so much for those choices. I have lived an amazing life. I have the most amazing family. So thank you for stepping back to give my me and my mom a chance.

Love,

Alayna