They've been there since the beginning...the first faces I gazed upon, the first voices I ever heard. They were there for my first step, my first fall...and they were there to pick me up and make me try again. That's just who they are - they've loved me through every failure, but they've never let me give up. No matter how many times I mess up and forget who I am, my mommy and daddy never do and they just keep on loving me more and more. And in loving me, they help me remember who I've always been.

My parents are incredible. The best human beings on the planet (I may be a little prejudiced though). They somehow managed to raise and educate five kids AND keep everyone sane! I have the utmost respect for them and everything they do. Whenever friends meet my mom and dad for the first time, they always tell me how great my parents are, and I always agree. I've come to realize that an awful lot of people my age don't seem to be too fond of their parents...and this knowledge only makes me more grateful for the relationship I have with mine. I'm the last kid at home now, and for a while that was pretty tough to face. I've always had one of my siblings (aka built-in BFFs) to pick on, but this year there have been a lot of changes. Good changes - lone-awaited changes. But changes just the same. And I don't really bode well with a lot of change...or even a little change. At first, I felt pretty lonely and discouraged, not gonna lie. For a lot of reasons. Everyone else in my family seems to have their lives figured out already, including my 19-year old little brother. And here I am with my 22-year old self, still contemplating the idea of burying myself under a blanket in my pillow-chair for the rest of my life with my Dean Martin record playing on repeat. But then I saw the other side...

I've actually found a lot of perks to being an "only child", so to speak. Privacy, for one thing (Lord knows that was hard to come by at times, just sayin'). Opportunity to travel (visiting siblings), AND I get to pick the movie...every. time. I mean, let's face it, wars have been waged for the sake of movie night rights! But my favorite part of being the last one at home, is getting to spend more time with my parents. They've become my best friends. I spend just about all my extra time with them and I've discovered just how similar we really are. I've even gotten the chance to learn more about what they were like at my age (it's been quite fascinating). My mom and I have our little traditions now, such as going grocery shopping together every Friday, and of course we can't forget our weekly date at the local coffee shop. My Dad and I always watch our Blue Bloods together in the evening, and the three of us take advantage of a long drive to anywhere whenever we get the chance.

Over this past year, I've discovered that my parents are absolutely phenomenal. And what's even crazier - they're pretty fond of me too. I don't know what I would do without them. And while I've been almost completely floored for most of this year by all of the things thrown at me, with the help of my two bestest best friends (and a LOT of grace from my ever-gracious God), I'm finally starting to get a clue. Life is good. And I've decided that, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I'm going to take advantage of spending as much time with my Mommy and Daddy as I can, and at least attempt to make them feel as loved and appreciated as they've made me feel for the past 22 years. Basically an impossible task, but that won't stop me from trying.

So, here's to you, Mom and Dad. Thank you for being my lifetime fans, cheerleader, therapists, best friends, and so SO much more. I love you both more than books and music...and that's saying something.�