High school graduation is a milestone we all eagerly anticipate. It’s a moment of celebration shared with loved ones and marks a cherished chapter in our lives.

Britt, a young woman, described her day as an emotional roller coaster. She was proud of herself for graduating high school, but fear gripped her heart at the thought that her mother and stepfather might not show up. She scanned the crowd, hoping to see familiar faces among the camera flashes and commotion.

Sitting among her classmates, she reassured herself, “They’re probably just running late,” or “Maybe stuck in traffic. They’ll be here any minute.”

As the names were called, Britt kept looking around, and when her turn came, she put on a brave smile. Holding the diploma, she wished to see her mom’s smile and her step-dad’s thumbs up from the audience, but they were nowhere to be seen.

“They must be here somewhere,” she thought as she anxiously searched the venue. Realizing they weren’t coming, Britt checked her phone. There was a message, “Sorry, we couldn’t make it. Something came up with your stepsister. We’ll celebrate later. Congrats!”

Britt’s concern grew. She wondered what could be more important than her graduation and couldn’t wait to get home.

Iris, her step-sister, was often the center of attention with her tantrums, but what could be wrong this time?

Standing alone, Britt felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Justin, her prom date. “Hey, are you okay?” he asked, sensing something was wrong.

Britt couldn’t speak as a lump formed in her throat. Tears streamed down her face.

“Oh sweetheart, come here,” Justin’s mom said as she hugged her. “You’re not alone; we’re here for you.”

Justin’s family did everything they could to make Britt feel included and supported.

After celebrating with Justin’s family, Britt headed home. Seeing her mom and step-dad relaxed on the couch, watching TV, as if it were just another day, made her anger bubble up.

“Hey, where were you guys?” she asked, voice trembling. “You missed my graduation.”

Her mom, looking embarrassed, sighed, “Your stepsister broke a nail. She threw a huge tantrum and demanded we take her to the beauty salon immediately. She was inconsolable, Britt.”

In disbelief, Britt exclaimed, “A broken nail? You missed my graduation for that?”

Iris, without looking up, said, “It was an emergency for me.”

At that moment, Britt realized how skewed her parents’ priorities were. She knew Iris was their favorite, but this was the breaking point. “Are you serious?” she shouted. “Do you even realize how much this meant to me?”

Unable to meet her eyes, her mom said, “Britt, we’re sorry. We’ll celebrate later, I promise.”

After some thought, Britt decided to leave the house for a while. She called Mrs. Anderson, Justin’s mom, with a shaking voice. “Good evening, Mrs. Anderson. I want to ask you for a favor. But I don’t know how to…”

“Go on, Brittany. What is it?” Mrs. Anderson replied warmly.

“Can I stay with you guys for a while? I’ve had a fallout with my family and need to get out of here.”

Justin’s mom didn’t hesitate. “Of course, sweetheart. You’re always welcome here.”

Britt packed her things and headed to the front door. “I’m leaving,” she said. “I need time away from this house, from you.”

Her mom tried to stop her, but it was too late.

In the weeks that followed, Britt found a job and eventually, an apartment. She ignored her parents’ calls, wanting no contact with them.

Years later, as she was about to graduate from college, Britt decided to give her parents a chance to redeem themselves. She called and invited them to her graduation ceremony, believing they owed her this.

Sadly, history repeated itself. On her college graduation day, her mom and step-dad didn’t show up. The excuse? Iris, pregnant at the time, craved a specific cake from a shop in the next town, and they got stuck in traffic. Again, a lame text message excused them.

This was yet another blow from the people who should have been Britt’s biggest supporters. After the ceremony, Justin found her. “They didn’t come, did they?” he asked gently. “No, they didn’t,” she replied.

Justin was always there for her. They eventually started a relationship and moved in together. While Britt was happy with her life, the ache of her parents’ absence was something she needed time to heal from.

Looking back, Britt learned that even when given a second chance, some people will disappoint you time and time again.