Until I left for college and was on my own, I never realized that I had a lot to thank my parents for. Through the good times and the bad, they have stuck by my side and have given me the confidence to be on my own without a worry. Here are 10 things I would like to thank my parents for:

1. Teaching me what unconditional love looks like

I remember the days where I was so unsure where life wanted me to go. I remember those days full of sadness and heartbreak. You two were always there to pick me back up and show me that love always wins over pain. Even when I resented you and thought I could figure it our on my own, in reality, I needed yoru guidance, and that guidance shaped hwo I love, today.

2. The clothes on my back

You both put in a lot of hours to be able to give me the latest looks I desired. Every time we all went out shopping, you both would sacrifice what you wanted in exchange to get what I wanted. I never thanked you enough for that.

3. The food on the table

You both work so hard, and whenever I text you from school for groceries, you make that your priority. You make sure I'm getting fed really well each and every day while I know there are kids out there who aren't as lucky. I take that for granted sometimes so thank you.

4. My car

You valued my Independence and freedom so much that you paid off one of our old cars for me when I was 16. Back then, I would complain about how it wasn't shiny and new like the cars everyone else in school got for their 16th birthdays. Now, I can't thank you guys enough for putting forth the effort and money to be able to get to me a real, working car that has lasted me years. Also, thank you for decorating it in Disney stuff when I came home from camp that one summer. I was afraid of what people would say in high school with Mickey Mouse all over my car, but now I love it and always get compliments when I go through any Starbucks Drive-thru so thank you!

5. Valuing my education

In the world, nearly 70 million children aren't getting a basic education. Education is so important because it gives you the opportunity to be more literate about the world around us, and even though I may have hated getting up for school every morning, thank you for valuing my education so much. Even when I chose to go to an expensive private school for college, you both did whatever you could to make sure I get the best education possible and I can't thank you enough for that.

6. Loving those who love me

Thank you for taking my best friends in as your own and for accepting Alex when he came into my life. You have seen friends and boyfriends come and go, bt no matter who they were or what their intentions were, you still treated them like human beings and I always loved that.

7. Being my rocks

Life is complicated, people are complicated, but I always know that if I'm ever in a place of doubt or need, I can come home to your smiling faces and show tunes to make my day better, so thank you for being there.