I was raised by two loving and supportive parents. They talked with me, we loved pizza, watched movies all the time, and they shaped me into the person I am today. I always was told that my parents were "so cool" because my Mom talked to my friends like she was one of them, and let them eat candy or drink soda. Or maybe it was because my Dad seemed very serious but then would lose that seriousness and start making fun of me, which my friends found entertaining. No matter what, I always heard I had great parents, and I never disagreed.

So Mom and Dad, here is a little thank you for being the great ones that you are.

Thank you for telling me not to stay out past my curfew. As I have come to find out, nothing good happens after 2am. People start to say things they don't mean, or get a little reckless. I try to never stay out past midnight or 1am. I might stay up but I will never stay out. Anytime I do, nothing great happens, and you never let me find that out too early.

Thank you for telling me your stories. I love all your decisions. All your choices brought you to this moment, of you being my parents. But don't get me wrong, those decisions also taught me to not drink at a young age, to not get pregnant, and to not lie to your parents or anyone. So I am thankful that you never were afraid to tell me the embarrassing, awkward, or painful memories. That way I knew what choices to make in my life. Plus even if I didn't know what decisions to make then, what's the worst that could happen? I would just have a good story for my kids to learn from.

Thank you for raising me to be respectful. I mean I don't say ma'am or sir or even refer to someone by mr. or mrs. because you never told me to but I do know please and thank you. I made sure to be the friend that parents wanted over. Because of you guys I was the good and the polite one that their kids brought over.

Thank you for wanting me to be honest. I love that I can go to you guys for anything. That I don't have to be scared that you won't like me or love me. You guys have set up such a secure bond. I was comfortable to tell you about my first time or call you when I had too much to drink that one time we won't ever forget. Okay maybe a few times I had too much to drink, but at least I told an adult. Anyways, it shaped me into being a trustworthy person. It made every relationship I had with anybody else stronger, because I knew nothing else but to be truthful.

Thank you for being mine. Lastly thank you for giving birth to me Mom and thank you for adopting me Dad. I love you guys so much and honestly I don't care to admit that I want to spend all my time with you. You are the greatest people I could ever ask for.

I will never be able to fully repay you for raising me. I hope you never have to sit and cry wondering if you raised me right. I promise that you did and I want you to remember that when my younger siblings decide that they "don't like you today", I do. I am so glad to be raised by such awesome people, you guys really are the best.