The man of both of our dreams

December is just full of holidays, birthdays and anniversaries in our family. But today is really the day that made me the happiest.

Eighteen years ago my mom married the man of both of our dreams.

My parents divorced when I was about 3. I went from my mom's, to my dad's (which probably scarred me for life - remind me to thank him later for that), back to my mom's and then it all happened. A blind date that has now been twenty years later.

My step dad swept her off her feet. He treated her how she needed to be treated. He treated me like a daughter. Through the highs, the lows, the pregnancy that brought his first grandson into the world, the trials that I would force upon the both of them (I was so not a perfect child) and nothing stopped him from wanting to be my mom's husband, my father and a grandpa.

My mom needed someone that was going to treat her how she needed to be treated, to love her, honor her and cherish her. She found that in my dad.

He's never once yelled at me, just let me know that we will all get through it.

He's never once raised his voice to me, just kindly told me how much of an idiot I'd been.

He's always told me how much he's loved all of us.

He married a mother/daughter duo that would make most men run for the hills. He took on a wife and a not-so-perfect teenager. Here we are eighteen years later and memories to last a life time. I'll never forget at their reception when he said something perfect..."On this day I gained a wife, a daughter, a grandchild and went broke."

I love the both of you with all my heart.

Happy anniversary to my parents