I have grown up with two families. Four parents, 11 grandparents, four step-siblings.

I was blessed in a way to be able to have so many people shape me into the person I am today. Growing up with two families isn’t as bad as it seems. I was born an only child and was able to be married into having brothers and sisters. While I didn’t always live with the siblings, they helped shaped me into who I am.

I am stronger because of my parents.

My parents taught me that even if you may fail once, happiness is always found in the end. My birth parents divorced when I was very young, three I believe. Both were remarried to their new spouses by the time I was out of elementary school. Because I grew up with four parents, I always had someone who would be there or someone that would give me a different angle on something that I did in my life. And support was never lacking from parents. I always had at least two at every school/extracurricular event that I participated in.

Brothers and Sisters aren’t as bad as they seem.

Once both of my birth parents remarried, I quickly went from being an only child to having four siblings. On my mom’s side, I gained a sister and two brothers. I haven’t been able to see them much because they stayed with their mom in their home town most of the time. When I did get to see them it always made the weekend interesting because there was always something going on, it was like having multiple friends stay the night with you the whole weekend. On my dad’s side, I gained a brother. I saw him more often because he stayed with his mom (my stepmom) most of the time, so anytime I was with my dad, he was there. We became close because of the frequent visits.

I am loved greatly by all my grandparents.

When my parents remarried, I had 11 grandparents in my life. Just on my mom’s side I had seven. Anytime the family would come together, grandparents were always there ready to help us with anything. Then on my dad’s side I had four other grandparents. I have always considered myself blessed because of how large my family is.

Growing up with a divorced family isn’t as bad as it seems.

As bad as it is that your birth parents couldn’t make it work, something brighter comes out on the other side. Your life will become richer because of the parents that will enter your life later on. I had all my family by my side when my dad and I were in a bad car wreck that ended us at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. We were never alone, there was always someone with us, supporting us. Because I have always been with these families, my step-family is not considered “step” to me. They are my family, always have been and always will be.