It's so difficult to put everything I've ever wanted to thank you for over the last 18 years into a letter for you (along with anyone from the Internet) to read, but here's my attempt. As I'm preparing to leave for college (AKA the biggest lifestyle shift I will ever experience), I've reflected upon my childhood and the world I've known my whole life, a world molded and supported by both of you.

Though I am incredibly excited to experience living 1000 miles away from you and home and everything I've ever known, I am honestly and genuinely going to miss you being there in person to interact with in my daily life. I don't know exactly what you'll take from this letter, but just know that I love and appreciate you both and this is an effort to desperately try and scrape the words together to express my thankfulness.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Do you notice how I wrote "Mom and Dad" just there? Honestly, you'll always be "Mama and Daddy," but I thought it might be bit more appropriate for me to address you with the former.

Today, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for everything you've ever done and sacrificed for me, taught me, and demonstrated to me, for how much you loved and will always love me, and for putting up with and sticking beside me over the years. I mean, I know you're my parents and you're kind of stuck with me, but that doesn't mean I take you for granted!

Thank you for the endless love and wonderful memories you have given me over the years. I love my life and am so blessed. You have made life sweet and filled with laughter and treasured experiences.

Thank you for your respect. Even though we fight and argue and disagree with each other sometimes, I will always know deep down that you have respect for my thoughts, opinions, and values as a human being. That makes me feel valued and appreciated and has given me so much willingness and independence in my ideas and own personality.

Thank you for pushing me. As a sometimes anxious and cautious girl, you pushed me and pecked until I was out of my shell, but I very much appreciate that. I most definitely wouldn't have the social confidence and open attitude that I do today without you.

Thank you for challenging me. You both taught me that nothing that is worth it and valuable comes easy, and that real pride and satisfaction can only come from hard work and pushing through the challenges. Though we could all work on our patience sometimes, you've taught me that eventually "everything will pass" and that we can get through the obstacles together.

Thank you for a global and time minded perspective. I am too blessed to have the two of you in my life, two intelligent and empathetic parents that are aware of not just issues in the world, but the world's beauty. You have made me a better person by introducing me to so many cultures and ideas and so much history, and have allowed me to become myself and have my own morals and values. I don't feel shielded from the real world or ignorant about both problems and prosperity both across the globe and even in our own backyard.

Thank you for giving me books and music. My education is so incredibly valuable to me, and you have pushed me with reading and writing (and of course, endless hours of homework help!) and music and made me so aware of so many different things and experiences in the world.

Thank you for giving me a roof over my head, warm food to eat, love, an education, and everything anyone could have every dreamed of in life. I often think about people missing the basic necessities that I try not to take for granted every day. I am so blessed to have supportive, kind, and loving people like you for parents that work hard to give me the best life in this world possible. The fact that you and I could go out and go school supplies shopping, Mom, or, Dad, that you and I could go out for pizza or check out some new golf clubs proves I'm too spoiled.

Thank you for teaching me that what's on the inside is what truly matters. I don't know how else to explain this one except for by saying: you have taught me that being me is the best because I'm the only "me" in the world. You have loved and accepted and understood me as I am. Priceless.

I know that wasn't everything, actually not much at all, but I hope you can know and trust me when I say that I appreciate everything you've ever done for me and all the love you've given me. You have truly helped me to become a person who's *almost* ready to go out into the world on my own. :)

Love always,

Emma G.