Mom and Dad,
I want to say thank you, but I can't. I want to say thank you for all the hours you've spent in cars driving me various places. For all the "good luck"s and "we're proud of you"s. For the meets you've sat through on hard metal bleachers and words of encouragement you've given me. Thank you for all of the places you've allowed me to go and thank you more for the places you didn't. Thank you for pushing me to do my best in school and always telling me to "rub some dirt on it." For helping me with homework when I didn't understand something and always making me food when I was too lazy. You were there when I needed to vent and held on to me when I needed to cry. You laughed at my jokes when they weren't funny and tolerated me through my "too cool for Mom and Dad" phase. Thank you for yelling at me when I did something I knew was wrong and helping me to see the perspectives of others. Thank you for teaching me the value of a dollar and that hard work gets you more than money ever will. For being my role models and never making excuses to get out of things. For making me watch Suze Orman give financial advice and the History channel on television.
Mom, thank you for never forcing me to go to church, but making it a peaceful place where I could spend time with you. Dad, thank you for letting me be your princess and letting me know when I was acting like a drama queen. I love having parents who aren't afraid to give me a "sandwich hug" in public and continue to call me the nicknames I've had ever since I was a little girl. Thank you for treating every one of your children like they were special, but not like we're the only ones in the world who matter. I love you both because you taught me how to treat others the right way.
Mom, Dad, I know you don't think you were good parents, but you're wrong. You've given me so much love and support that I will someday spread to my children and those around me. It's like you said, I'll always have safe and supportive family to come home to. Even though I didn't appreciate it when I was younger, I do now. Thank you for being people I can call when I'm in trouble, who I know will always love me. I'm a better person because of you. I want to say thank you, but thank you will never be enough.
All my love,
Your Daughter
