Dear Mom and Dad,

Thank you. Sometimes I don't always say thank you or express how much I appreciate everything you have done in my life. This article is dedicated to you, to show how much I appreciate, respect, and love you. Thank you for being my parents and blessing me with a great life. This list doesn't cover everything you have done, but I want you to know how thankful I am.

1. Thank you for enrolling me in school and insisting I get a good education.
2. Thank you for welcoming all of my friends with open arms and treating them like one of your own.
3. Thank you for working every day to support our family.
4. Thank you for constantly providing me with good advice.
5. Thank you for surrounding me with a safe and loving community to grow up in.
6. Thank you for always providing me with good, healthy meals to eat.
7. Thank you for encouraging me to try new things.
8. Thank you for supporting me.
9. Thank you for the endless amount of time and money you spent on me.
10. Thank you for introducing me to amazing individuals who might not be blood related-- but are still considered family.
11. Thank you for staying involved in my life.
12. Thank you for insisting I send you a “just got home” text so you know I arrived home safely.
13. Thank you for constantly making sure I received a well-rounded childhood.
14. Thank you for allowing me to always take a best friend on vacation every year.
15. Thank you for being overprotective.
16. Thank you for teaching me how to stand up for myself when I got bullied in school.
17. Thank you for sharing the excitement for every birthday, first day of school, and Christmas.
18. Thank you for reminding me to volunteer and teaching me to be thankful.
19. Thank you for attending all of my sporting events, award banquets, and graduations.
20. Thank you for holding my hand when I had to get a shot at the doctor’s office.
21. Thank you for allowing me to always set the table for Thanksgiving dinner.
22. Thank you for teaching me traditions that I hope to pass down to my family one day.
23. Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on when I needed it, no matter what.
24. Thank you for listening to me vent, even when it was over something silly.
25. Thank you for driving me to every school event, sleepover, sporting event, and appointment.
26. Thank you for allowing me to move into the dorm at college no matter how much you didn’t want me to leave.
27. Thank you for encouraging me to come home any time of the day.
28. Thank you for visiting me no matter how far the distance.
29. Thank you for never walking out of my life.
30. But most importantly, thank you for always loving me unconditionally.