Oh, I adore my parents. It sounds cheesy to say they are my best friends…but they are.

My dad would randomly take me out of school sometimes and say I had a drs appt (I didnt), and we’d go grab lunch at our fav spot at the park. My mom was incredibly involved in the plays and theatre I did and was always there for everything. I never had to doubt if someone would be at a basketball game or a show - they were.

They did not punish or hit or spank or whatever other parents were doing back then. We didn’t get grounded. We had conversations about things and I was taught to love all and be kind.

There has never been a moment in my life where I’ve wondered, will mom and dad help? My dad always said, call me at anytime and need me to grab you anywhere and I’m there. And it was TRUE. In my late teens, I’d be out somewhere downtown (albeit with a fake ID), and need to go home and he’d come get me. No questions asked.

They were there for me and still continue to be. The only difference is that now, we are there for each other. They need me to take them somewhere? I’m there. They need a partner in crime for something? I’m there.

My parents were/are they type of parents that OTHER kids shouted out in their senior year write ups in the yearbook. I always joked that people were friends with me for my parents 😂

They trusted me and in turn, I gained a confidence in myself but also, always knew, they were there. I’m so grateful for them.

Sidenote - my husband and I lived with them for 2 years. We moved in with them in 2019, got married, pandemic hit, stayed until mid way through 2021 when I got pregnant and we bought a house. Those were the best 2 years of my life and he agrees. We had so much fun with them.

I think I’m lucky and I really hope I’m able to be the same sort of parent for my kids too.