Dear Mom and Dad,

As I'm sitting here on my bed the night before my college graduation, I'm thinking about high school graduation. I know it's weird but It's just how my mind works. I remember being so excited to finally become a grown up, I wish I knew what that really included. I was excited to be going off to college, meeting new people and learning more. I was so excited back then but I am probably more excited now. I remember that I was thinking about summer and all of the fun things I would be doing. I couldn't wait to sit out by the pool as much as possible and go to the beach if we could. I thought about the number of pictures I would take to hang up in my room.

Flash forward to move in day, I was so excited to be at school but when you left I was so upset because I was actually on my own. I had to make my own decisions, decide what I'm going to do, practice being responsible (I'm still working on this) and fend for myself, I tried. I had great roommates that made my time in college amazing. They helped me see that even though you weren't there with me, you were there in spirit, plus you were always just a phone call away.

I never realized how fast four years could go by. I mean I still think I'm a freshman looking for my classes, trying to figure out how to use the meal plan or where the dining hall is. But when I wake up tomorrow I'll be walking across the stage and getting my diploma which is proof that I worked really hard because I wanted to make you proud.

I know that I don't say thank you enough and I wish I could go back and say the thank you's that needed to be said when they weren't. And even though I can't go back and say those thank you's when I should have, I am going to do it now because you deserve it. Thank you for helping me move in every single year. Thank you for showing me how to be responsible and make the right decision even when it's tough. Thank you for helping me to see that it's okay to live a little farther away because you will always be there for me. Thank you for showing me encouragement when I didn't think I could make it through the semester. Thank you for taking that long drive each and every semester to go back and forth to school with me. Thank you for being you! I love you so much!

Sincerely, Your Child