Growing up my parents were undoubtedly considered the "strict parents" in my friend group. My curfew was absurdly early, I wasn't allowed to have a Myspace when everyone else in Jr. High had one (and when I did get a Myspace they found out almost immediately), I had a dinky little 'go-phone' when all of my friends had the cool pink Razors –– the list could go on forever.

I remember asking God, "why me?" How dramatic right? I was so ignorant, as we all are at that age I suppose.

I was a rebel, and my parents were well aware of that, so, I had "boundaries" –– oh, how I despised that word; so much that I acted like they didn't even exist, blatantly ignoring every single one of them. I would of course get punished for my inability to follow their rules, and in response to my punishment, I got mad, sometimes acting like this punishment was the end of the world, then proceeded to treat my parents like they were my worst enemy.

Wow. I was such a teenager. If only I knew how wrong, and really just rude, I was.

As I approach college graduation, I can't help but reflect on everything I've put them through, yet they still love me so damn much and would do anything for the better good of their kids. I can't tell you how many times I've heard about someone's traumatic, childhood story where something so terrible happened to them that it still manages to linger in their mind. I always feel somewhat uncomfortable hearing such stories, only because it's really hard for me to understand what they're going through, given that I had literally the most normal childhood.

My childhood consists of only happy memories; camping with my family, going to work with my dad, Disneyland, BBQ's, soccer practice, Costco pizza, family birthday parties, etc.

I never had a traumatic injury, despite my active lifestyle growing up. Yeah, I have never broken a single bone in my body nor have I ever had stitches –– I'm still terrified and hope that day never comes.

The point I'm making is that I am who I am because of the way I was raised. My parents watched over me, even when I thought they weren't, and my safety was always their number one concern.

Money was never discussed in front of me, and it was ever important to my parents –– family has always been the most important thing. I never had a nanny; my Mima was the closest thing to a nanny that I had, and I never, ever took the school bus –– my mom would always take and pick me up from school.

They had me involved in sports, which taught me discipline and commitment.

I was always expected to be at my younger siblings sports games, as they were expected to be at mine. I remember for my senior game in high school, my entire family made poster boards that spelled my name in big letters, and they sat in the stands and cheered me on as they waved the poster boards frantically in the air. I remember being kind of embarrassed, but looking back, it's really quite adorable.

Most importantly, ever since I can remember, and still today, both of my parents never fail in telling me how proud they are of me. I think a lot of parents forget to tell their kids stuff like that, but it goes a long way –– at least it did for me.

Thanks dad for teaching me what's most important when looking for a guy. My dad would never speak negatively toward any guy I may have been dating at the time, but he would encourage me to ask myself what my values were. He would always tell me that the things I may find "annoying" about a guy, shouldn't be dealbreakers because those are things that can easily be worked on or changed. However, his values will never change, thus encouraging me to seek someone with similar values as my own. So yes, my dad outdid my girlfriends in terms of guy advice (#bestdadever).

Thanks mom for being being the nicest, most empathetic person in the world. She always looks for the best in people and she is the world's best comforter, encourager and lover. If it weren't for my mom, I would likely have not a single empathetic bone in my body.

I may be biased (I refuse to believe but that's the case), but my parents have definitely mastered the whole parenting thing. If it wasn't for their unconditional love, constant support and persisting senses of humor, I couldn't even tell you where or who I'd be today.

Sincerely,

You're forever grateful rebel