Dear Parents,
I may not have the best track record when it comes to the type of guy I find myself falling for. More often than not, I fall for the guy that considers me an option—that thinks I am expendable. I just want to apologize for this because that is not how you raised me; it is not what your love for each other taught me to do.
I honestly don't know why I do it. I really don't. I know I deserve someone that looks at me the way you, Dad, look at Mom. I know I deserve someone who will always tell me I'm beautiful and kiss the top of my forehead good morning and good night. I know I deserve this because it is what I grew up witnessing between you two, my parents.
You two have given me the greatest example of what true, unconditional love is supposed to look like.
True love means compromising.
True love means listening to one another.
True love means getting up at 5 a.m. to drive your love to the airport.
True love means agreeing to go to that Mexican restaurant even though you hate enchiladas.
True love is bickering about which Netflix series to binge-watch together next.
True love is sitting in silence, but still hearing everything.
So I just want to thank you. I want to thank you for showing me that I should not settle for less than all of the above. I want to thank you for giving me the best example of what unconditional love looks like. I want you to know that I see it; I see the way you two you look each other—it's warm and inviting.
I see how much you two have sacrificed, not only for my sister and me but for each other. You two always think of the other first, and that is a level of selfless love that you've shown me I deserve.
I deserve to have someone look at me like I'm the only woman in the room; I deserve to be kissed on the forehead in the morning and wished "sweet dreams" every night. I deserve someone that considers my happiness a priority and who would make sacrifices and compromises just to see me smile.
I know I deserve this because that's what you two, my loving parents, have taught me I deserve. Because I would give all of that and more to someone I love.
Thank you, for teaching me to love and how to be loved; I will be forever grateful.
Your loving daughter, forever and always,
Me
