Which relationship has taught you the most about yourself?

The relationship that has taught me the most about myself is the one I have with my chosen mom, Cat. My relationship with my biological mother has always been superficial. I rarely felt safe being completely honest about my struggles because I often had to gauge her mood before deciding what I could share.

Many times, it felt easier to wear a mask and pretend everything was fine than to risk being vulnerable. As a result, I grew up believing that my pain was something I needed to manage on my own.

Fourteen years ago, I met Cat, and she became the mother figure I never knew I needed. Through her unconditional love and acceptance, she has shown me aspects of myself that I struggled to see.

She has challenged many of the negative beliefs I held about my worth and taught me that my mental illness does not define me. For much of my life, I felt as though people saw me as broken, incapable, or forever a child. Cat has always seen something different.

She sees my intelligence, my strength, my resilience, and my ability to navigate life as a competent adult. She also accepts the parts of me that find joy in dolls, plushies, Disney, and protecting my inner child. She has taught me that embracing those things does not make me less of an adult. It simply makes me who I am.

More than anything, Cat has taught me the meaning of unconditional love. Her health is declining, and there is a very real possibility that she will leave this world before I do. One thing she often tells me is that if there is one lesson she hopes I carry with me after she is gone, it is the knowledge that I was loved completely, flaws and all.

The truth is, I already know that. Because of her, I have learned to accept myself with greater compassion and understanding. I have learned that I am worthy of love exactly as I am. That lesson will stay with me for the rest of my life.

So if she ever reads this, I want her to know: I hear you, I believe you, and I will carry that love in my heart always. I love you, Cat, forever and always.