There wasn’t any trace of a formal wedding ceremony, just a heartfelt celebration of love and support. As a child, I struggled a lot with my appearance—I was convinced I was really unattractive. One day, while looking at myself in the mirror, I broke down and tearfully asked, “Why do I look so ugly?” My dad overheard me as he walked by and said, “Oh, didn’t you know? Before you were born, I accidentally sent my dashing good looks to the wrong address.
But don’t worry, I kept the receipt!” I stared at him, confused, “The receipt?” “Yep,” he replied with a grin. “So when you turn 18, we can exchange it for something even better—like a personality so charming that no one will notice what you think is ‘ugly.’ Trust me, it’s a better deal.” I couldn’t help but laugh through my tears. My dad winked and added, “Until then, you’re stuck with that face—and it’s a pretty good one if you ask me.”
When I failed my first year at university, my parents didn’t get angry or upset. My mom sat down next to me while I was crying in shame and hugged me until I calmed down. She reassured me that it wasn’t the end of the world and that she was, and always will be, proud of me. My parents have always been open-minded and accepting.
I remember them telling my siblings and me, “We don’t care what or who you are,” which really stuck with me, especially since I’m bisexual. When I came out to them, they never went back on their word and accepted me for who I am. My mom and I even discuss LGBTQ+ topics over tea, and my dad never misses a chance to make a pun.
My parents aren’t perfect, but they got a lot of things right. One thing that stands out to me is how supportive they were of my brother and me, even when they didn’t fully understand or like what we were into. They weren’t fans of skateboarding, but they spent hundreds of dollars over the years so my brother could enjoy his hobby.
They not only helped me get a drum set but allowed my band to practice in our basement and even drove us to all our shows. They hoped I’d become a lawyer, but they were willing to accept that I might end up as a line cook. Their support made a difference in the long run because it helped me realize that I could make my own choices in life—nothing was predetermined. I could do what I enjoyed, knowing my parents would be there cheering me on.
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