Dear Mom and Dad,

I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I don't roll my eyes when your names are mentioned, I never went through a full-fledged 'teenage drama queen' stage (or at least I don't think so), and I consider you both some of the most influential people in my life. Last week when you came to my last family weekend here at Elon, together, we soaked it all in. Then and there, as you mingled with my friends, my friends' parents, and supported me at all of my organizations' weekend events, I was reminded how grateful I am for all you have given me, as well as what you had me work for.

Let me clarify when I say the words 'giving me the world.' You both seldom handed me things without letting me work hard for them. I did not get the toys I begged for in the toy store. I was not presented with a cell phone just for the heck of it. We weren't the type of family who went on an exotic spring break every year. Yes, sometimes I would come home to a new shirt on my bed or a new soccer ball in the garage. However, the rationale behind those items was because I was working incredibly hard, in school, at home, or in my organizations. I recognize that whole-heartedly and appreciate your method of rewarding us when you were proud and when you saw this sense of responsibility assumed.

This concept of being 'given the world' also emphasizes the opportunities that you both worked hard to let me experience. By working hard in your respected fields, saving money for me to go to college, signing me up for youth soccer, you have facilitated my development. You have exposed me to stimuli that have enhanced my emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development. You have introduced me to a world that I can make my own. You have opened my eyes to the idea that I can be anything I want to be and I can do anything I put my mind to.

It is with ease, love, and pride that I say thank you to the greatest parents who will grace this earth. Those two words are simply not enough to cover every ounce of gratefulness I have for the amount of carpool rides you've given me, the hours of coaching you've put into championship soccer teams, the time taken out of the day to have dinner waiting on the table, the patience to check my math homework or quiz me for a test I clearly was not prepared for.

There are no words to exemplify how happy my heart is knowing I have the greatest support behind me as I embark on this journey called life. Every uncertainty I've encountered, I've been able to rely on you for love and guidance. Even when I've made mistakes, you have let me figure out life for myself. So while I say thank you now, and every day going forward, know those two little words will never amount to the gratefulness and love I have for the two of you.