Teen's Grandma Gave Her a Graduation Gift She'd Been Making for 18 Years

graduation 2017
For graduation, a teen’s grandmother gave her a journal she’d been keeping about her for 18 years. (Photo: Getty Images)

A little cash, a gift card, maybe an inspirational book — those seem like reasonable high school graduation gifts to expect from grandparents. A girl from Maryland just received something a little more special from her “Gramma” this week, and it’s certainly not for the last-minute planners out there.

“My grandma’s graduation gift was priceless,” Maddie wrote Wednesday on Twitter. “She handed me two books & told me she has been writing about me since I was born.”

She meant that quite literally. The first entry, which Maddie shared with Yahoo Beauty, is from the day she was born. “Maddie, today is your birthday. Your mom just called me her and your dad are on their way to the hospital. After months of waiting we are finally going to meet you. I’m so excited!!”

No one in Maddie’s family knew that her grandmother, Sandy, was doing this for the past 18 years.

“I honestly was in shock that someone would do this for me,” Maddie told Yahoo. “I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say, and I couldn’t stop saying thank you.”

The spirit of the gesture was not a total surprise, given how close grandmother and granddaughter are.

“She was the first family member to fully accept me being gay,” Maddie said. “She has always called me and had me stay at her house when I’m not getting along with my family. Or when I’m upset, she will take me out to dinner or make whatever meal to my request.”

Meanwhile, Sandy was writing a journal entry every time she and Maddie met, preserving memories to show her granddaughter’s life “through my eyes and heart,” as she inscribed on the cover.

On Maddie’s graduation day, June 2, Sandy wrote, “This is my last entry. I do hope you enjoy this journal. I will miss writing about you, but I hope you continue to write about your life so maybe your kids can enjoy it one day. Love, Gramma.”

Our hearts are so full.

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