Dear Mom and Dad,

This week I'm leaving the nest. I'm excited and nervous and prepared and terrified and thrilled to begin the newest chapter of my life. Thank you for getting me to this point. I'm incredibly blessed that God put me in the family he did.

Dad, you have been my rock, my model for the way a guy should treat me. You were the one who taught me to use power tools and who told me I looked beautiful before every Daddy Daughter dance. You held me when I cried and made me laugh at all those jokes I swore weren't funny.

We had long talks about everything when you dropped me off at my first job. You introduced me to Doctor Who, NPR, the stock market, and Christian podcasts. You battled your demons and helped me to battle mine. You baited my hook for me, threatened to scare the boys away, and gave me the freedom to be our crazy goofy selves.

Mom, you are who I aspire to be. You are kind and gentle and strong. You taught me about forgiveness, tolerance, and love. You gave me the best advice. You taught me to ride a bike, curl my hair, and cook. You encouraged me in everything I tried. You coached me in basketball and taught me to swim. You helped me pick out my prom dresses and my first tattoo. You took care of me when I was sick.

You fought the battles I wasn't brave enough to fight with the ferocity of a mamma bear. You taught me chemistry and geology. You showed me what kindness is. You have always put the needs of others before your own and I hope some day I can have a heart like yours.

Thank you mom and dad for holding me up when I fell down, for throwing me into the deep end, for wiping my tears and easing my fears. Thank you for giving me safe, comfortable home and for pushing me outside my comfort zone. You always said you hoped I would have roots to keep me grounded and wings to fly and leave the nest, and you have given me those things in abundance. Thank you for sharing your passions with me, and for supporting mine. For all of your sacrifices of time, money, sleep at night. For the countless times I needed to rant about things that don't matter in the long run. I'm going to miss you, but I also know you are the reason I am prepared to leave. I love you both so much. I can't wait to see you. And in the meantime I promise to be a good listener, to make good choices, and to have a good time.