As I put those little floor protecting nubs on my hand-me-down dresser and discuss with my roommates my strong protective feelings over blocks of cheese I buy in large quantities to stick in the freezer, I realize these things are small little branches of what I have been taught over the years from my parents. I know that I would not be where I am today if it were not for the two of you letting me saunter off by myself when you knew it was best, or when you dragged me back in the house after I hit someone with a rake. I owe you everything.

Dear Mom and Dad,

You say that since the day I decided a week before my due date to do a flip in mom’s stomach, you knew that my feet would hit the ground and I would never stop running. You were right, but I want you to know that I never stop checking my peripherals to ensure you and the rest of the world are OK. I will always run back to hug you two.

Thank you, Mom, for telling me that it is OK to be soft-hearted, that in a world that is often cold and unfeeling, someone has to feel. Even though you tell me I am sometimes too trusting, you let me be me and try and save the next wounded person I cross. It never fails that one out of 10 people pulls a little too hard, and you are there to talk me through it and send me back into the world even if it means dampening your mama bear instincts.

Thank you, Dad, for helping me realize that the world is not meant to be understood because if we did understand, God would not be God and faith would not be necessary. You changed the way 8-year-old Kristin viewed the world the day you said, “You don’t have to understand. Just do your part to make it better,” as I sat crying at the latest terrifying news story.

Thank you, Mom, for showing me how to love books, crafting and the beauty of rainy day saving. Books are my escape from reality, and nothing tops a good story that makes you want to read more. While making binders the other day for a club, I realize that without your magic paper cutter and you enabling all crafting endeavors as a child, I would not have learned to appreciate handmade goodies the most. Thank you for showing me beauty in all forms, and I am sorry that meant “decorating” the wall with red ice cream flavored chap stick when I was 5. If it were not for you showing me Kroger specials and teaching me that discount cards are secret weapons that college kids do not typically utilize, I would have had ramen for dinner. Thank you for saving me (and my internal organs).

Thank you, Dad, for teaching me to love all sorts of music, dumbing down sports and fixing my car when it makes a “bad noise.” I’ll always give a music genre at least one chance, and if it were not for you showing me the likes of Aerosmith, Journey, Def Leppard and Metallica (before VT made them “cool”), my life would be musically dull. Despite my affinity for Prince Royce right now, I credit you for my love of variation. Sports are not something I ever care to fully understand, but by golly, you explain football to me every time I ask (usually the same exact questions). Thanks for being supportive when I quit softball and when I backed my car into the mailbox. (I still say it was dry rotted.) As for fixing my car, you’re the man. Prepare for phone calls when I am 45 and trying to make it stop making a “plunkity plunk” sound. Somehow you diagnose it by the sound.

Most importantly, this must be said: thank you for letting me grow up. Neither of you had to tell me to chase my dreams, but you did. Even though I disliked you in the moment, thank you both for telling me, “We are not *so and so’s* parents, so we don’t care.” Not sure how many stupid moments you saved me from with that one. As I have wandered off in my life to do things you two tell me you never thought I would do, thanks for not jerking the chain of this wild child back into the front yard. You never had to let me grow up, but thanks for showing me how to, especially for showing me how to live life with a child’s mentality of acceptance, tolerance and willingness to change. My friends have always said you’re the cool parents of our group, and I have never prayed to God so hard that you never change. I aspire to be as honest, fun-loving, advice-giving and supportive of goals as you two have always been. That’s what makes you cool to me.

Love,

Your baby girl