A few years ago, I graduated from school, a moment I had worked so hard for and was really proud of. I was excited to share it with my family, especially my parents, who I believed supported me. But on the big day, they didn’t show up. I waited anxiously, scanning the crowd, hoping they were just running late. When my name was called and I walked up on stage, their seats were empty.

After the ceremony, I finally received a message from my mom: they missed it because my stepsister had a meltdown over a broken nail and demanded to go to the salon immediately. I was stunned and heartbroken. How could something so small matter more than my graduation?

When I confronted them at home, they seemed dismissive, acting like it was no big deal. Feeling hurt and unimportant, I packed my bags and asked to stay with my prom date’s family, who welcomed me with kindness and support when my own parents let me down. Years later, I hoped they might change. At my college graduation, I looked for them again but once more, they were absent.

This time, they got stuck in traffic while trying to satisfy my stepsister’s pregnancy craving. It was like déjà vu. I realized nothing had really changed. Though the pain lingered, I learned an important lesson: sometimes, those who should support you fail, but that doesn’t define your worth. With the love and support of my chosen family, I found the strength to move forward and build my own life.