For many of you, the next few (and maybe past) weeks have brought a lot of change to your life. Whether you’re gearing up to go to school one hour or 10 hours away from home, things will definitely be different. Not only will you be leaving your hometown, your favorite restaurant, and the friends you’ve had for years, but you’ll be leaving your parents, too. Leaving your family can be hard; I mean, who’s going to take care of you when you’re sick or take you out to eat just because? Saying goodbye to your parents will be hard, and those last tearful words before they drive away will mean everything. However, there’s so much both you and I wish we could have said to them over the past 18, 19, 20 or more years before this departure. Here’s our chance.

Thank you for always being my number 1 supporter.

Between sports, band, and rides to wherever I needed to go, thank you for always supporting me. I know that throughout my whole life, no matter if I was the best or the worst at something, you would always be in the crowd supporting me. Whether it was the school musical or senior year softball, both of you were at every game regardless of work or other things you could have been doing. It was the greatest feeling knowing that you would be there to encourage me, win or lose.

Thank you for knowing what was best for me.

You always knew which boys were worth my time, which classes would push me, and which college I should go to, even if I didn’t know myself. I know there were times where you had to let me make my own mistakes, and I am grateful for that. But at the end of the day, even if it kills me to admit it, you were right about everything. Between those boys that were in my life that you knew wouldn’t last and the college decision that would change my life forever, you always knew, didn’t you? Whether it was your plan all along or you finally put your foot down after I didn’t listen for too many years, you were right. I am meant to be where I am today, and I am here because of you.

Thank you for always putting me first.

I know you put your life on hold to make me happy. Whether it was moving meetings around to make it to the field at 4 p.m. on a Wednesday or taking days off to let me tour colleges in the Midwest, you always put my happiness first. I know I was bratty at times and didn’t appreciate what you were doing enough, but looking back on all those trips to colleges or beach days or seeing you stand behind the fence in the outfield, I am lucky you put my happiness first, and I don’t know how to thank you enough.

I am proud of you.

Between hanging report cards and papers on the fridge, the last 20 years have been about being proud of my accomplishments, but not anymore. I am proud of you for everything you have been through and gone through to get you to where you are today. I know working for that promotion or new job hasn’t been easy. I know you worked tirelessly on weekends and nights to get what you want in life. I know you wish you were home for that dinner or to go see a movie, but it is okay. I am proud of how hard you have worked. I am proud of your accomplishments, even though we can’t hang them all on the fridge. I am proud of who you are and who you have become when life has been anything but easy. I am so happy you are getting where you want to be in life, and I look forward to seeing you thrive in your environment.

I am grateful for you.

I know sometimes I take you for granted, but leaving you for months on end has shown me how much you do for me. I don’t even mean cleaning my room for me when I had a long day, doing my laundry, or making me dinner. All of that is great, but it is the little things we do at home that we can’t do when I’m away that mean the most. I know I can call home and hear your voice and have you ask me how my day was, but sitting on the couch together with a cup of coffee or our talks in the car on the way to wherever we’re going are things I am really going to miss. I don’t mean to take you for granted, and I’m sorry if sometimes it comes off like that. I know that you are the most important people in my life, and I honestly don’t know what I would do without you and all that you do.

I will miss you more than anything.

Leaving you this semester will be the hardest thing I do. I know I’ll miss my friends, my boyfriend, my dog, and brother, but saying goodbye to you will be truly heartbreaking. Until you leave your family for the first time, you don’t really know what it is like to be alone. I am lucky I grew up with a supportive family who never let me feel unloved. I am going to miss being home and knowing you’re both there and that everything is okay, but please know that everything that you have taught me has made me who I am today. and I will do everything to make you proud.

I love you to the moon and back…always.

No matter who may come into my life or where I live when I’m older, you two will always be my best friends. Whether I get engaged, married, or have kids of my own someday, I will love you both more than anything. I will forever be grateful for the life you have given me and the love you have shown to me for the past 20 years. I hope to someday (someday very far away) give the same love you have given me to my children. Never forget that even though I am over 1,000 miles away, I love you, and I always will.