Dear Mom and Dad:
There are not enough words to express my gratitude for all that you have been to my children. Their other grandparents have lived far enough away to make a close relationship all but impossible and the two of you have stepped in and made up for that gap by being the best grandparents possible. I have friends who have even told me they hope that when they have grandchildren they want to be grandparents like you are to my kids.
I have watched as you have developed a close bond with my kids and it has meant the world to me. When I got divorced, you both stepped in to help with childcare and fill in emotional gaps to make that difficult time as easy as possible for your grandchildren.
Now that I have remarried, I have watched you both change roles as you have welcomed my new husband's children as your own grandchildren. I know this is uncharted waters for you both but you seem to have picked up the new role with no problem. I have watched as my new step-son has followed his new grandpa around and has been treated like a grandson who has always been part of the family. I have felt warmth in my heart as I have watched my step-daughter snatched up for a hug by her new grandmother.
I, too, hope that someday I can be a grandparent like you both have been to all of my children. Watching you both showering five kids with love and affection makes me strive harder to be a better mom. Seeing how important family is to you both reminds me every day that no matter what happens in my life, I have a strong and loving family to back me up and I am trying to teach all of my kids the lessons you taught when I was young. I didn't appreciate those things then but do now.
Yes, I agree with my friends. The two of you are the grandparents I want to be. You are the grandparents I had hoped my kids would enjoy and I can't thank you enough. Not only have you always been there for my kids, but you have been there for me and I love you both more than you can know.
Thank you and happy National Grandparents Day!
