I know I don't say thank you enough. I know that it may seem like I forget to be appreciative of all the things you have done for me, for all the things you continue to do for me . I know that I can be ungrateful at times. But I promise, I see everything you do. I see the tuition bills and the long phone calls that appear on our call logs when school gets stressful. I see the loan paperwork, the bank account dwindling, the FASFA applications and notifications from the Business Office.

I see it all. And I just want to say thank you.

College wouldn't be possible without your support - both financially and emotionally. The fact that you can listen to me complain nonstop about my workload and stress for hours on end makes you the best therapist I could ask for. Well, the best and the cheapest. And the fact that you literally shovel out thousands of dollars every semester to ensure that I can get the best education money can afford doesn't go without notice.

But most importantly, I need to take the time to thank you for giving me the chance to grow. Becoming an adult is scary enough, but when you have a family who supports this growth, who encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and live away from home or pursue your dreams, the reality of life seems less terrifying. In college I am learning how to be my own person. And even though this person I am turning into is shaped by my college experience, you should know that it is first and foremost shaped by you.

I'm constantly aware of how hard it must be for you to have sent me on my way. I'd be naive to think it must be easy to sit back and watch me make mistakes as I'm slowly learning my way at school. The job of a parent, a supporter, is not easy. You don't get enough credit, and while I know that you sit and worry about the drunk drivers and me walking alone on campus at night, I just want to tell you not to. Because you have taught me well. And even when I flounder, I know I have you to fall back on. You're my backbone.

Your relentless faith and determination to make me see my own worth is what drives me in school.You are my motivation. It is your support and pride I keep in mind when I am covered in self-doubt because I failed my first Advanced Statistics Exam. Your faith in me, in my abilities, is unwavering and because of that, I know I can conquer college- even if I have to take it day by day or hour by hour some weeks. And it is because of this faith and support that I continue to try to be the best student, the best person, you could dream of.

I just really needed to take the time to say thank you. I am eternally grateful, and I hope to make you proud.

Much Love,

Your College Student.