Dear Parents,
Thank you for being different, thank you for preparing me for the real world, thank you for letting me be honest, and most of all, thank you for loving me no matter what.
I learned quickly in high school that you two were different than other parents, my friends would either called you “strict” or “cool”. Somehow you were able to pull off two completely opposite characteristics.
I wasn’t allowed to stay out too late, but my boyfriend was allowed in my room (with the door open, of course.) I was allowed to drive my friends into the city, but dad would ask about my missing homework assignment from Tuesday first. It was a balanced system of frustration and appreciation. Now that I’m out of the house, all of that structure you provided for me is gone. I can eat whatever I want and stay up as late as I want now. But I sincerely crave driving home with mom while blasting a mixture of Justin Bieber and Stevie Nicks, and eating thrown together dinner dishes made by dad while watching late night talk shows. I miss laughing at the football players mom thought were cute after each game, and meeting dad after his full day of work and my full day of classes to feed our similar coffee addiction.
Thanks for calling the attendance office in high school and excusing my tardy for my 7:30 zero period class that I woke up for at 7:55. Thanks for understanding when I bombed a test and also when I was clearly horrible at a subject altogether. Thanks for attempting to get me to stay off of my phone when doing my homework. Thanks for making me get a job in high school, it taught me time management and responsibility.
Thanks for supporting me financially for all of my 18 years of life and letting me burn a hole in your wallet with college tuition and fender-benders. Thanks for understanding that alcohol and sex happens in teen years. Thank you for assuring me I wouldn’t get into trouble if things ever got out of control and thank you for being open to the idea of birth control.
Thanks for making me the person I am today. I learned empathy and confidence from you and the ability to make my own decisions. Thank you for letting me learn from my mistakes and thank you for letting me follow my dreams despite how far away from you they are. Thank you for teaching me your values but not forcing anything on me. Thank you for letting me become my own person and develop my own identity.
Thank you for being my idols when it comes to marriage and lifelong support. Thank you for being great parents, I hope that one day I’ll be able to teach the lessons you have taught me and continue to teach me to my own children.
Sincerely,
Your Daughter
P.S. I love you but I hope you don’t expect me to do my chores when I’m home for winter break.
