Dear Papa and Momma Bear,
I love and miss you very much. I want to say thank you for all the sacrifices you continue to do for me even when I am miles away from home. I am truly sorry that I don't call or go home as often as I should, but I'm still trying to learn the ropes of life. I knew college was going to be challenging, but I just never knew I would have to struggle with not only discovering who I am but also learning that not everyone I meet wants the best for me. Thank you for shielding me from certain people as I was growing up, but now that you can't be with me (even though at times I wish you were) I have to learn who I can trust and who will only do me harm. I am sorry that I took many things for granted (like home cooked food and bear hugs!) but I really really appreciate everything!
I know that at times it may seem that I have forgotten about you, but know that not a day goes by that I don't think about you. I miss your hugs, your cheesy jokes, and your pep talks that you would give me as I would cry my eyes out because I didn't get the grade I wanted after working so hard on an assignment. Now that I am miles away from home I have to settle for a phone call. Thank you for picking the phone up at 2 a.m. as I rant and cry about how homesick I am, how stressed midterms and assignments have me, and how I want to give up and just go home. Thank you for yelling at me over the phone that I can't drop out of college because I am smarter than I know. Thank you for being such supporting parents and telling me that although you may not agree with all my reckless decisions, that you are both 100 percent behind me and always there for me. You're a support system that before I took for granted, but now am really happy knowing I have you to fall back on.
Thank you for being my foundation and my rock through this life journey. College is everything and nothing like I imagine I it would be. It's a once in a lifetime experience that I am glad you encouraged me to purse. However I would sometimes love to not have a talk about how school is going or what I want to do with my life/major because I honestly don't know, and it stresses me out. Also, I've talked to professors, doctors, lawyers and they have all told me that they didn't know what they wanted to do with their lives at my age so... I still have a chance! I know you worry about me and want the best for me, but I also want the best for you. Every big decision I make I always think about you first. I think about how this will not only impact my future but if it will make you proud. My one goal in life, although you don't approve of it because you don't want to be a burden, is not only to be able to support myself financially, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, but to support you as well.
I'm sorry for at times being a horrible child, but I promise you that I want the best for me as well, which is all you want for me. I know that as parents you forget what it is like to be my age and you always want to see me as your baby, but I'm growing up. You are much much wiser than me, but please allow me to make mistakes (Some, not all of them!) I know that you would prefer that I wouldn't have to encounter certain obstacles but you can't shield me from all of life's hardships. The reason being is that when you are gone I wouldn't know what to do because you were the ones to always fix my problems. The best thing you can now do is allow me to learn from my mistakes and be the hand to pick me back up/ the shoulder to cry on. I know you want the best for me, and thank you for always putting me first -- sometimes even before your needs — but if you truly want me to succeed in life, let me grow. You're truly more than just my parental figures. You are my best friends that don't criticize or stop loving me even when I make the worst decisions. Thank you! Without even knowing it, by just loving and supporting me regardless of actions/decision you make my life a billion times better. Thank you for all that you have done, continue to do, and will do!
With much, much, much love and appreciation,
Your Not So Young College Student Child.
P.S. I miss you! Also please send coffee because finals are coming!
