Dear Mom and Dad,

I've written articles about both my siblings, and now I think it's your turn. A few weekends ago, we had a crazy and hectic parents' weekend, and it truly made me realize how thankful I am for both of you. That Saturday night I came home crying because you, dad, lost my ID after holding it in a bar for me since I didn't want to carry a purse. I was being dramatic and mean when I should have realized it was an accident. After you knew you lost it, you went back at bar close to search, called and texted me multiple times apologizing, and showed me overall how upset you were. This proved to me how much more important my relationship is with you, and mom, too and that I can't sweat the small stuff. That night, which I was so upset about at first, showed me how much you both care about me and that is worth it in the end. So, after realizing how much I take you both for granted, I wanted to say thank both of you for giving me so much and putting up with all I do.

Thank you, mom for handling me when I get mad at dad. I know you don't like getting in the middle of the drama, but you are always there to defend me and tell me when I'm right or when I am being unreasonable. Thank you for still doing my laundry and packing my lunch all the way until I graduated high school. I didn't realize this luxury at the time, but now that I have to do it myself, I realize how much I should have appreciated it. I also want to thank you for having been at every single cheer competition, parent-teacher conference, Pi Phi mom's weekend, and football game. I never had to be concerned or upset that you wouldn't attend an event for me because you were my number one fan. You also were always prepared for these events; you had a checklist waiting before to make sure I had everything I needed, and a charged iPhone after for all the photo opportunities.Thank you for being there for me during all the hard high school times and for teaching me how to "be the bigger person" even when I really didn't want to be, that within itself has become a huge part of who I am today. Thank you for also being there through all the great times, and making them even more special. Without a mom to experience these moments with and teach me my strength, I don't know what I would have done. You are truly my role model and have shown me how to become the strong, confident, sometimes vain, unconditionally loving, and determined person that I now am today. I hope that I can continue to grow and follow in your footsteps in my life with you by my side.

Now, dad. First, thank you for handling me when I get mad at mom. I know you are pretty much powerless in an argument between the two of us because we are both so stubborn, but you calm me down and that makes a world of a difference. Thank you for crying almost every single time I come home for a break because you are "so proud of me and just love me so much." I know I always laugh at you about it, but it really does mean a lot. Thank you for showing me how a person should love, because you love your wife and children more than any person I know. It has taught me how to love the people in my life and to choose someone that loves me like you do. Thank you for doing pretty much anything I ask, even when you don't want to. You've driven three hours to get me from Iowa, and then driven all the way back home and you never complain because you say that you just love spending the time with me. Also, thank you for letting me believe that I can do anything I want. When I told you I wanted to be a writer, you were one of the few people that told me I could do it, and I would probably not be Editor In Chief now without your trust in me. Regardless of what I want to do or what happens in my life, you are always there telling me I can do it or telling me everything will be okay. I know that as long as I am doing my best and working my hardest, I will never disappoint you. You are the reason I am caring, that I get over being angry within three seconds, that I am overly obsessed with pizza, and that I will always love with all my heart. I can't put into words how much I thank you for this.

So, yes I sometimes get mad at you both and sometimes you get mad at me. Sometimes we fight, and sometimes we say things we regret. We aren't perfect. But most of the time we laugh together, spend incredible times together, and I know that all of the time, we love each other. So thank you for being there through the good times and the bad times. Thank you for making my siblings and I into the people we are today, and being the best parents I could ever ask for.