Before I jump head first into this article, there's a few things I think you need to know to fully understand.

My parents split up when I was three, maybe four? I really couldn't tell you exactly; the details are fuzzy, and I've asked for details from my parents about what happened, because truthfully part of me doesn't want to know and the other part of me knows that no matter they tell me I know can never go back and change it.

When I tell people my parents are separated, I usually get a big sigh and an, "I'm so sorry. That must be awful". Yeah, when I was younger it wasn't my favorite thing, but I adjusted to it. I spent Tuesdays and every other weekend with my dad. The rest of time I was with my mom. Holidays were a give and take and would change every year. To be honest, they are still a very confusing time, and they probably always will be.

Things got better as I got older. I had input on what I would rather do, who I would rather stay with for this holiday, or how my birthday was spent.

The one thing I am extremely grateful for, however, is that my parents would both agree I am their number one priority for the time being. They may disagree on a lot of things, but they tend to see eye-to-eye when it comes to their daughter.

However, growing up in a separated household can take a toll on a person.

I would go over to friends' houses and see both their parents there. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't jealous. I was jealous that they would never have to wonder where they were staying that weekend or who's Thanksgiving they were going to first.

I was the only one of my friends that had separated parents, so you can probably imagine that I felt a little left out. And for what? Because my parents weren't together? No, it was because I saw the opportunities I was missing out on: the family dinners, the vacations, the general aspect of having both my parents under one roof. Because everywhere I looked that's all I saw.

As I grew older, I accepted that there was things I couldn't change no matter how bad I wanted to.

One thing i learned rather quickly from both my parents is that I didn't need to be in love with someone in order to be happy. The way my parents expressed themselves afterward made me understand that you need to live in the present and hope for the future, not dwell in the past and regret the things you could have changed or fixed back then.

I also learned to be more guarded in who I trust with my heart. As deep as that may sound, it's really just me having to be constantly reassured that I'm enough for you and that you do in fact enjoy my company and don't just see me as a someone to "have a fun time with".

You could ask any of my friends and they would tell you that I do in fact need constant reassurance in how a person feels. I've always needed to re-ask the same questions about plans: where are we going, who's all going, how long are we going to be there, when are we going; it's just who I am. Part of this could be because I grew up with separated parents, but part of it is because I've been let down so many times by people I thought I could trust.

I know at the end of the day my parents did what they knew was best. Though they may not have known at it the time, it's because of this that I'm the person I am today. I'm stronger because I know that I don't want my kids to wonder the things I did when I was younger. I know my parents love me unconditionally. I love them too. And although it was hard, I learned to accept that sometimes life throws you curve balls and you have to learn to serve and keep your head held high because greater things are going to happen.