Dear Dr. Laura,

I have wanted to write you for some time now. I just don't know how to say thank you in words. There are so many days when I stop and say, "Dr. Laura saved my life". I know you hear that a lot but it is most certainly true.  You became my mother in my mid-twenties.

I met my husband when I was 17 and married him when I was 22. I did not know it then but I needed to escape my parents and he offered me the chance to pretend to be a grown-up. He, too, was stuck with parents who were not the warmest. The early years were tough and we treated each other pretty crappy. I was the most disrespectful wife there could have ever been.

Something amazing happened though. He had started listening to you at work and then so did I. I was listening but not hearing you and still treating him pretty crappy. I asked him for a divorce and started figuring out who got what. One day on your program I realized that I was making a huge mistake. We had history together no one could ever replace. He was a good man and we could make it work. Shortly after we started making it work, I found out I was pregnant with our one and only son. We came together stronger than ever and our son is an amazing child who has never known what it was like to be in day care. My husband is the most amazing man on the planet and he still gives me butterflies. I have learned from you so much about love and what it really is. I truly do respect and admire him and I know true love because of it.

On the other hand I have torn up my parents' "parent card" and I have been so thankful for the gift you have given me of knowing when it was time. I have also put all my energy from that into the parent-child relationship that I have with my son. I miss having a mom and dad but I don't miss mine.

I laughed today hearing your intro, at the thought of my mom calling you and getting me on the phone! She would not get very far with you. You, Dr. Laura, are my mom. Thank you for all the advice you have given me. You have held my hand through some tough stuff and patted me on the back for the great stuff. By the way, my mother-in-law was putting you down one day when I was listening to you and I turned to her and said sweetly "You do realize because of her, your son and your grandson have a better life.  Right?" I will never forget the look on her face. It was priceless.

Monica