Dear Mom and Dad,

I've probably re-written this a million times because I've never been able to find the right words to say to you and I probably never will, because you can't sum up 19 years into a few hundred words. Our lives have been put to the test since 2:22 that August morning. I bet you were scared as hell, I bet you cried yourself to sleep some nights, but never once did you let me see it. You always put on your best face for me, I've never felt your love waiver once. Thank you for allowing me to live my life to the fullest and without you, I wouldn't be the person I am today.

Dad, thank you for always telling me I'm the prettiest girl you knew. I know there's always going to be more attractive girls - that's one thing I've had to learn growing up - but your word always will carry more weight because I know you mean it, not because you just want to make feel better or have some exterior motive (f*ckboys, I'm talking to you).

Mom, thank you for always teaching me to see the good in life. There have been so many moments in my life where I've made mistakes but you taught me to take it with a grain of salt and learn from it. You make me appreciate all the little moments in life and to keep fighting through all the obstacles life throws at me.

Dad, thank you for always supporting me no matter what. There were days I'd come home and sob because I failed my math test but you were always proud of me no matter what. You always pushed me to my best, and you were also okay when I failed. When I felt like I had let you down, you reassured me my best was good enough and there was always next time. You're my savior when I feel like I'm drowning.

Mom, thank you for showing me what true love looks like. There are days where I think finding love is a shot in the dark, but you're a constant reminder that love finds you in the most unexpected ways (like at a Jewish single's mixer). You remind me that marriage is handwork with trials and tribulations but at the end of the day, the most important thing is that you have each other. I see the look in your eyes when you look at Dad and it motivates me to find a relationship as amazing as yours someday. And Dad, thank you for showing me chivalry is still out there somewhere.

Dad, thank you for always letting me be your little girl. I know I can get mad when I feel like you're not treating me as an adult, but in the end, I realize how lucky I am to have someone always looking out for me. You give me the tools to grow but at the same time are always there to put the training wheels back on whenever I need it most. Thank you for offering to buy my clothes even when I insist you don't have to. Thank you for leaving food out for me after a long night out. Thank you for listening to me rant on and on about a horrible customer I had at work. Most of all, thank you for letting me focus on being your daughter when I'm home, rather than focusing on the stress of adulthood.

Mom, thank you for always being my shoulder to cry on. I look back to all the times I cried on you over trivial things and I'm sorry I put you through that. It's taken me awhile to realize how right you were about everything (I still can't figure out how you do that, it must be some sort of magical mom intuition or something) but you always let me ramble on anyway.

Dad, thank you for always keeping me grounded. You've always taught me that nothing in life comes easy and because of that, you've made me into such a strong-willed independent woman. I have an utmost respect for the value of hard work and for that I'm forever grateful.

Mom, thank you for always checking up on me. Some days, I just need you to tell me everything's going to be okay. Sometimes I know I don't always respond right away to you. I never want you to think I'm ignoring you, but sometimes I'm not free until after you've fallen asleep because I'm caught up in homework. Just remember I want to have enough time to tell you that I'm okay, because you deserve more than just a one-word text in-between classes.

I'm not sure what the future holds next for us. Life will take me far and wide but one thing is for sure - I know the road will always lead me home again.

Forever and always,

Your Little Girl