A letter to my parents

To my amazing mom and dad, 

I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me. I cannot imagine what it was like finding out about my diagnosis just four years into becoming parents. (I totally understand why you waited 5 years to have the last child). You guys took every single precaution possible to make sure that I stayed healthy my whole life. You made our whole household gluten free besides one snack drawer (sorry to my siblings). You guys treated our house and guests like they had COVID before COVID was even a thing ... no person was allowed in our house until they washed their hands free of gluten. You have stuck up for me in ways that I did not even know was possible. You were my voice before I even learned to speak, you taught my sisters how to deal with my reactions, you sit by my side while I have reactions, you sit with me in the ER speaking for me because I am so sick that I cannot function, you fight for me, and much more. To this day, you guys never fail to listen to my issues and concerns about the food I am being served. Best part is, you never fail to rip people a new one when they contaminate me. You taught every single person we came in contact with about Celiac Disease. Your patience for people blows my mind because I am not good with the stupid questions but you guys ... you WANT people to understand and you want to teach them. Dad, you make sure that everyone has a STRICT  understanding of the fact that I have Celiac and cross-contamination is NOT allowed. Although you embarrass me every time we go out to eat, I love you for it. Mom, you have made sure that I have food no matter where I go. You make me my own birthday cake every single year because we cannot buy a gluten free cake anywhere. Never have I ever had to worry about if I could eat at a function or if I will get sick because you guys prepare and take every precaution to make sure that I will be able to eat safely. You guys are the reason I am here today. Eighteen years later and you still apologize to me for not knowing that I had Celiac before I was two. How were you supposed to know? It is not your fault. Mom and dad ... you guys saved me. I am the luckiest daughter in the world, I don't know what I would do without you guys. 

I love you guys, 
Paige 

---