On my 18th birthday, I became an adult, but it was also a chance to thank my stepmom for all the love and support she has given me. When my mom died, my dad remarried, and my stepmom’s gentle touch made our home more stable. She never tried to be my mom’s replacement; instead, she made our lives warm and caring.
Everything was very quiet when my dad died. The words “We’re family, no matter what” from my stepmom saved my life. Even though there were rumors she was going to leave, she didn’t. This shows that family ties that aren’t blood related can be just as strong.
I planned a treat for my 18th birthday that would change our lives. I gave my stepmom a small gift and told her to get ready, but my voice was shaking. My words, “You’re leaving this house,” were met with worry and misunderstanding.
The drive to our destination was tense, and we had a lot of questions that we didn’t say. I broke the silence by telling them that my dad had left me money to save for school. I made it bigger, and now it had enough for something really cool.
I told them about my surprise when we got to a cute house. “I bought this house for you,” I told her as tears ran down our faces. “I’ll study at an Ivy League university nearby, and we can stay together.” My stepmom and I both cried, which strengthened our bond.
Giving, not getting, was the theme of this party. I promised my stepmother that our family would always be together, no matter what. Our story would always be etched in our minds as proof of love’s limitless power.
My stepmom whispered, “I love you,” as she held the house keys.
I told her, “I love you too,” even though I knew that this birthday gift would change our lives for good.
