By Katie Revai LeFevre 
When I look back on my childhood, so many of my most cherished memories are of the days I spent with my grandparents. Whether made with my cousins, sisters, whole extended family, or just my grandparents and me, those memories are pure gold. I’m so lucky I have them.
And, my dear grandparents, I’m so lucky I have you. At 33 years old, I know how blessed I am to still have those of you I do. Three out of four of the most selfless, compassion-filled, unconditionally loving humans I’ve ever known (and one watching over us from Heaven too). This one’s for you.
Dear Grandparents,
Thank you for being there for me from the very beginning. When I was small and the world was big, you made it just a bit cozier. Okay, a lot cozier.
Thank you for the living room picnics, for the apple juice and jelly, for the homemade meals on repeat, and for the oven-warm peanut butter cup brownies aplenty.
Thank you for the school pickups on sick days, for the spoonfuls of honey, for the guest room made up for rest, and for counting with M&Ms—1 through 20—just because.
Thank you for endless summer days at the town beach, for never budging on sunscreen and long sleeves, for quarters from the car for concession treats, and for encouraging me to swim for hours but never to venture in too deep.
Thank you for defining the very meaning of family so effortlessly. Let’s be honest though, you’ve always put in a lot of effort, and I promise you it’s never failed to show.
Thank you for mini golf, swims after close, downstairs movie marathons, and adventure-filled safari ride-alongs.
Thank you for Christmas stocking bags and boxes, for Easter eggs in the garden, for ice cream cakes on birthdays, and for daily magic-making in a million little ways.
Thank you for VHS tapes and disposable camera candids, for sharing family photo albums and keepsakes, and for carrying on age-old traditions.
Thank you for looking out for me. Through the easy times, the challenging times, and all the in-between times . . . you’ve always been the exact kind of extra love and support every child so desperately needs.
Thank you for the back-to-school shopping and new-car browsing, for quietly passing money in sealed envelopes, and the countless offers for free board and housing.
Thank you for the unconditional love and gentle hugs, for the constant wisdom and humor, for the precious time together to catch up, reminisce on yesteryear, and truly unplug.
Thank you for continuing to set the most honorable example, for building a legacy that’s destined to span generations, and for loving us all, through it all. I, especially, am so lucky to have had you by my side through it all.
Thank you for being the very best grandparents turned great-grandparents to the luckiest kiddos in the world. My babies think the world of you (but I know you already know this is true), and it’s abundantly clear that you adore them too. Thank you for making it so abundantly clear.
Thank you for lap-sit read-alouds, for tossing foam balls back and forth, for meet and greets with brand-new baby goats, and for always making it known that you’re so very proud.
Thank you for the beloved Disney books and that old pink Ford model, for greeting cards in the mail, and for rocking little ones to sleep with their sacred milk bottles.
Thank you for the daily prayers and for your example of unwavering faith, for all the lessons, for all the laughter, and for all the love you’ve shared–without fail, day after day after yet another day.
I love you. We love you. And we are forever blessed because of you.
With gratitude and pride,
A granddaughter turned mama who still thinks the world of you with kiddos who love you more than you’ll ever know too
by Kelli Bachara 
by Ashley Yarbrough 
