We've all heard the normal thank you's. Thank you for putting a roof over my head, food on the table, and clothes on my back. Thank you for teaching me about God and the importance of having faith in a higher power. Thank you for acting as my personal nurse when I'm sick. Thank you for being my harshest critic and my biggest fan. Thank you for loving me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thank you for teaching me to be an independent and strong woman in a world where it's so easy to sit back and take the easy road. But there's a few thank you's I don't often say. So here it is:
1. Thank you for teaching me the rules of football
For sitting with me on Sundays and answering all my incessant questions throughout all 4 quarters of the game. For not saying it’s a “man’s sport,” but instead sharing your love for the game.
2. Thank you for making me keep a job
For signing me up for a job in the neighborhood swimming pools’ snack bar at age 14, the lifeguard training sessions at age 16, and all the other jobs throughout the years. You showed me the importance of hard work, and not to rely on others to work for me.
3. Thank you for your amazing cooking skills
For the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I’m being picky, spaghetti and garlic bread when I’m in desperate need of carbs after a long day, and hot chicken noodle soup when I’m sick. Your cooking never fails to hit the spot.
4. Thank you for always knowing the right thing to say
When I’m lacking confidence and down on myself, when I’m confused and in need of advice, or when I don’t want your advice but you give it anyway. You’re always there for a laugh or a reality check, and though I may not always be appreciative at first, you always know what to say.
5. Thank you for making me do my own laundry
And wash the dishes, vacuum my room, or clean the bathroom even when it’s not my mess. Though I may hate it at the time, I know you’re just trying to teach me how to be a self-sufficient and responsible human being.
6. Thank you for editing all my papers and looking over my math homework
The ones I’ve put a lot of work into, and the ones I’ve written while half asleep. You patiently sat with me while I struggled through the hard stuff, and cheered me on when I finally got what you were teaching me.
7. Thank you for driving me all over creation and back
To the sleepovers, the sports practices, the piano lessons, and whatever other obligation I had committed to. No matter how tired you may have been or how many other things you had to do, you made sure I got where I needed to be.
8. Thank you for instilling in me a love for 80s music
Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson…the works. I may make fun of you as you loudly sing along to the old music you listened to in high school, but underneath I know you’re just trying to share the things you love with me. And you’re not wrong. The 80s had some bangers.
9. Thank you for your corny jokes and failed attempts at understanding my generation's "lingo"
“Lit,” “salty,” “finstagram,” and all the other words us millennials have made up. No, you’re not using them right, and yes, most of the time it’s embarrassing to see you try make sense of them. But, your attempt at understanding and being a part of my life is both noted and appreciated. But seriously…you’re not doing it right.
10. Thank you for always being there no matter what
For calling me while I’m away at school, and for not taking offense when I don’t feel like talking, but instead calling me again just to ask about my day and make sure I’m okay. No matter what you’ve got going on, you always make time to tell me how much you love me.
