Dear Mom and Dad,
Hi. It seems like it’s been awhile since we’ve had a deep heart to heart. As my freshman year of college comes to an end, I am feeling some type of way. I’m excited that school and finals are over, but I’m also extremely sad. I don’t want freshman year to end. This has been one of, if not the, best years of my life.
I’ve met so many amazing people, tried so many new things, and most importantly, I’ve started to find myself and find where I belong. All the late night bad decisions that all us goofy freshman have made together have bonded us even more. I’m sorry for not calling every day like I promised. It’s not like I don’t miss you guys, because I do. It’s just that there is so much going on here in college that I often times find myself getting distracted from what I was actually supposed to be doing. Freshman year was so much fun and I will definitely remember it for the rest of my life.
Thank you for letting me call you during my mental breakdowns during finals week. Thank you for encouraging me to keep pushing and telling me that I am capable of anything that I put my mind to. I’m sorry if I didn’t seem grateful for it, but trust me -- I am. Without your encouragement and kind words, there is no way in Hell that would have been able to survive my freshman year.
Here’s a confession: I’m scared. I’m scared to grow up. I’m scared to get older. Getting older means more responsibility. Growing up means more pressure to become something. Growing up means people expect you to do certain things a certain way, and making silly mistakes isn’t as acceptable as it used to be. I want to make you proud. You guys raised me to be the best version of myself and to pursue my dreams. But what if that doesn’t happen? I’m afraid of running into a bump in the road that knocks me on my butt and I am afraid that I won’t be able to get back up. It’s a scary world out there. Ending my freshman year means that I am one year closer to graduating. Graduating means that I have to find a job, buy a house, and take care of myself. That’s a scary thought. My whole life it has been you guys supporting me and taking care of me. I know when I was in high school I complained about how you guys micromanaged me and my life, but now that you aren’t, I kind of miss it. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the freedom I have in college. I get to do what I want when I want. It’s wonderful. But at the same time, there is still a part of me that misses you guys asking me if I need anything and managing my life.
So, as summer rolls up and I return home, know that I am so grateful for you two. You have given me the world and more. I know I will cop an attitude and I know that we will get in a few fights while I am at home, but that’s just because I’m the same stubborn kid that I was before I went to college. It will take some time for me to get used to you telling me what to do and asking me what I’m up to 24/7, and that’s only because for the past nine months I’ve been on my own. Despite what I say or how I act, I love you both so much and I am so thankful that I was blessed with such kindhearted people like you as my parents.
