Sometimes… your parents get everything right.

A week ago, my mother, and father (divorced since I was 7 years old) both – and independently—confirmed that I have two of the very best parents on the entire planet.

I’ve not always been so wise. So wise as to recognize them for the amazing parents that they are. In different ways, certainly… but they both definitely are.

I’ve experienced periods, (sometimes long periods) of time feeling certain that my parents a) didn’t understand me b) didn’t deserve my compassion c) hadn’t been perfect and/or d) all of the above.

In one calendar week, my parents (and both of my tremendously beautiful and loving step-parents – I prefer the term ‘second parents’) proved to me that they not only love me (and my husband) dearly, but that they truly would pull a million strings, cross a dozen oceans, and climb an infinite peak in order to be there for me.

To Mom and Dad, this post is for you.

Mom-

Last weekend, you helped me realize what was, surprisingly, a dream come true.

I’ve always craved a place of my own. A place that is lush, green, populated by critters, and gorgeous… like, magazine gorgeous. A place that is quiet, even in a suburb. A place that is sprinkled with the discarded leaves of beloved ferns and blue daze flowers. A place that hummingbirds flock to. A place that is tended by rabbits and maybe even a squirrel or two.

A place that feels like a glossy photograph in a glamorous article.

A place that is all mine.

Last week, our patio cover construction was completed, and you and John helped it to become so. You helped the plants find pots. You helped the hummingbirds find a feeder. You helped the windchime find its hook.

I’ve spend time, EVERY morning since you came, out with the watering hose, making sure that the flowers have a drink. That the ferns have a gulp, and watching the bunnehs (inevitably) eat our liriope.

We got SWEATY.

We got DIRTY.

We got TIRED.

And in the end, I became a “Veranda Girl” of my very own. Created in the image of my lovely mother, who has always cherished her outdoor places.

Thank you mom, for creating such a beautiful patio with me.

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To Dad–

I love you. I truly do. There are a very small number of moments of my life that I can say I “regret” and not realizing what a wonderful father you are, YEARS AND YEARS ago is among them. Adolescence made me stupid, I admit. I certainly used that developmental time of my life to give me a reason to have a seat in the “mad at my dad for no particular reason club”.

Time has shown me how silly that was.

You’ve shown me how difficult it can be to follow your dreams. Follow your heart. Follow your legacy. But how completely worth it the endeavor really is.

You’ve proven that it’s NEVER too late to change the path you’ve been on… no matter who expects you to continue upon it.

You’ve given me a beautiful second-mom in LaDonna. Someone I love and respect. You’ve shown me how to handle sadness with grace and strength… (even if it’s perceived by others as tearfulness)… and even though you couldn’t make it to every recital… every concert… every performance…

You drove over 1700 miles to see a dress rehearsal, and truly the only scheduled performance of my show that you could possibly attend.

You spoke with my husband, who graciously communicated to the directors, and you drove.

You drove, and drove, and drove.

You drove through fatigue, and timezones, and when my director called me to the lobby, on the eve of our very first dress rehearsal of tech/hell week,

You, my daddy, stood there.

You gave me roses, even before opening night.

You were there to be my audience. To laugh, to cry, and to even MOO with me during a performance of what is truly my favorite show, and most beloved role ever.

The gesture of your roadtrip melted me.

I’ve never been so grateful to you. Never been more proud to have you by my side. Never been more thankful that my pubescent heart moved on from all of the drama of high school angst.

…

This week, I got to look out into a beautiful garden.

I looked out upon an expansive and beautiful garden, created by the sweat and tears of the husband who loves me.

I looked out upon a patio, outfitted beautifully by my mother, that reminds me to always take those still and precious moments for my own spirit.

I looked out onto the blooms of the roses presented to me by my father, for the show that he watched me perform in… singing and dancing my way through a story that has captivated my heart.

It was truly one of the greatest views I’ve ever experienced.

Thanks mom and dad.

I love you.