Family is one of those things we often don’t fully understand until we’re missing pieces of it. When you grow up dreaming of building a beautiful life for yourself—a life filled with love, stability, traditions, memories, and a future for your kids—you don’t always realize how much harder that journey can feel when you’re doing it without the support most people take for granted.
I’m a strong, independent person. I always have been. I built an amazing life from the ground up. I created a family I love, a home I’m proud of, and a life that reflects everything I fought for. I don’t get jealous easily, and I don’t spend much time feeling down about what I don’t have. But around certain times of the year—holidays, birthdays, school events, stressful seasons—I can’t help but feel that ache. That small tug of envy. Not for material things, not for money, not for vacations. But for something much harder to name.
I get jealous of people who have parents in their lives. I know Chris and I both envy people with a more stable family dynamic.
Not the Instagram version of parents. Not the perfect fairy-tale grandparents who show up with cookies and crafts. Just… parents. The ones who show up late but show up. The ones who drive you crazy with their advice. The ones who complain, meddle, spoil the kids, and give you headaches—but also give you breaks, guidance, love, and support.
Why am I sharing this?
Because someone needs to hear it:
If you have parents who are alive, present, and involved in your life—even imperfectly—stop taking that for granted. I would have loved mine at my wedding and births of all my kids but I can’t change that.
You might roll your eyes at them. You might get frustrated when they overstep or comment on your parenting. You might feel annoyed when they tell the same story for the tenth time or buy your kid something you said no to.
But trust me—so many people out there would give anything, absolutely anything, to have that kind of chaos and love in their life. To have someone who wants to be there. Someone who shows up. Someone who loves your kids simply because they’re their grandchildren.
Not having parents to lean on, to call, to ask questions, to celebrate with, or simply to exist in your world—it sucks. It leaves a hole you learn to build around, but it never fully disappears. And when you have kids, that ache doubles. Because suddenly it’s not just you missing something… it’s them too.
You can’t buy family.
You can’t hire a grandparent.
You can’t replace that bond no matter how hard you try.
If I could, I would have years ago.
So if you’re lucky enough to have parents in your life—imperfect, annoying, loud, loving, messy, supportive parents—embrace it. Cherish it. Let them drive you crazy and let them spoil your kids. Let them show up. Let them love you.
Because family is a gift.
And being able to give your kids the gift of grandparents?
That’s something truly amazing.
Some of us would give anything to have what you already have.
So hold them close. Appreciate the moments. And never, ever take that blessing for granted.
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