When I was about 12 years old, my parents made the ultimate sacrifice. Like many people I know, my parents uprooted their lives from one country, and came to the United States. I know what you did could not have been easy, and I'm writing this not only to acknowledge that, but to thank you. These are just five of the hundreds of things I want to thank you for.

1. Thank you for leaving a country I know you loved in order to give us even greater opportunity.

I know we have friends and family that you had to leave behind, and that couldn't have been easy.

2. Thank you for learning a new language and assimilating into a new culture so that I could have said opportunity.

Not only did you leave behind so many people you loved, but America has an entirely different culture that I myself even struggled to assimilate into.

3. Thank you for supporting my every decision.

No matter what I do, you've made it clear that I'm making you proud.

4. Thank you for working so hard to pay for my education.

College isn't cheap. That hasn't stopped you from doing everything you can to help me through it.

5. Thank you for making sure I stayed in touch with my culture.

6. Thank you for being the best support system anyone could ever ask for.

You're the best, Mom and Dad.