Stepdaughter,

I don’t even like to use the word, because it makes it seem that you are different, when you are not. You are my first daughter. You came into my life as just a small baby, and my life will never be the same. You made me a mother, even if the rest of the world didn’t recognize it right away.

I know that it can be hard having two families, and I know that you worry that you are not as loved as my biological daughter. But the funny thing is, I see so much of myself in you, that you couldn’t be “more mine” if you came from my own belly.

No one else on this planet shares the same love of hair metal ballads and the cheesiest eighties pop. No one else delights in head banging to Poison or awkwardly dancing to Steve Winwood. You couldn’t be more mine.

You share a deep love for the state of West Virginia, a place you’ve yet to even visit, and inherently know that it is “home.” You can sing every word to “Country Roads,” and you can chant the WVU fight song (how many alumni can even say that?)

You couldn’t be more mine.

You’ve managed to adopt a slightly hillbilly-ish accent, which would make no sense to anyone just by looking at you. The first time I heard you say “crown” and mean the coloring tool, I knew that we were meant to be a family.

You couldn’t be more mine.

You are a rule follower in every way possible. It crushes you to be “in trouble” or to feel like you’ve disappointed anyone. I was the same way growing up and still am today. I hope you learn from me that the straight and narrow isn’t such a bad way to go. I think you will.

You couldn’t be more mine.

I’ve never met a seven year old who wholeheartedly embraces a healthy lifestyle and genuinely wants to take care of themselves. Of course you love your treats, but to hear you ask for water first or for a second helping of vegetables makes my heart sing.

You couldn’t be more mine.

I try to tell you every day how loved and special you are, but I worry it is not enough. I hope that when you read this letter you will feel just how much you mean to me. I was never sure that I believed in fate as far as love was concerned, but I know that you were meant to be in my life. I’m forever grateful that we were brought together so early and that we will get to spend so many years growing together as a family.

I love you,

Mom

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About the Author

Stacey Rodriguez

Stacey Garska Rodriguez is a wife, mother of two, writer, healthy living enthusiast, and lover of all cheesy music. She blogs about her "new life" as a housewife in the suburbs of Houston, TX at .