My parents are my favorite people in the entire world, and I'm not just saying that because they read my articles. If you can think of the most supportive, funny, and loving people in the world—it would be my mom and dad. Now that I am an adult and have a greater appreciation of all they do for me, I can truly say my parents are my best friends.
I recently saw a tweet asking if people still went to their parents for advice, and that's when I realized... not only do I go to my parents for advice, but they are the first people I go to when I need it. I am their first child, and as my mom frequently says, their "trial run" for my little brothers, but with the advice and support they give, you'd think they'd have raised ten kids before me. That's just how awesome they actually are.
Mom and Dad, here are things that I hope you know, even if I don't tell you all the time.
I appreciate you not handing me everything that I want. I can't lie, when I was sixteen and got my first job, I hated you guys. I couldn't see how it was fair that I had to work while other parents were just handing their kids money whenever they wanted. Now, at twenty years old, I couldn't be more thankful because every single thing I have, I earned it myself... including this college education. You taught me independence, strength, and how to work like hell when I want something— and for that, I will be forever thankful.
Every good quality I have, I learned from you. The respect for everyone you meet. The ability to make every single situation a lesson. The sarcasm and the humor. My loud laugh and the ability to laugh and learn from your mistakes. How to show up and work hard even if it seems like it never pays off. How to love people so much and appreciate the small things. How to be kind and give the shirt off your back when someone needs it. How to be sensitive and compassionate, and strong and stubborn, and to know when to use each of them. Every quality that you think makes me a good friend, daughter, and future nurse—its all because I've grown up learning from you.
I see all the small stuff. I notice when you ask about my day even when you're tired and have a million other things to do. You listen to all my stories about school and nursing, even when they're boring or make you want to gag. I notice when you call me just to ask how my test was, and when you answer your phone at midnight because I just got a test grade back and I want to share. I notice when you come to visit me at work because I haven't seen you in days. You share and read every single article, even if it's long or irrelevant to your life because it's something I'm proud of. Every time you ask me if my oil needs to be changed, if I'm hungry or how much sleep I'm getting, or if I have enough money for gas this week -- I see all of it.
You're doing an amazing job. Raising young boys and a college student cannot be easy. Raising kids on top of careers and your own lives sounds impossible, but you do it somehow. You've never missed a dance recital, chorus concert, or art show. Every National Honor Society ceremony, school dance, and sporting event, you've been there with a smile on your face no matter how busy you are. We've never had to miss birthday parties or band practice or Saturday morning football games. You could've been too busy. You could've been too tired. But you never were any of those things, you were just always there.
I should say thank you more. Thank you for my blonde hair and my blue eyes. For my big feet and even bigger forehead. Thank you for giving me three little brothers who toughened me up with every arm wrestle, WWE move, and punch in the face. Thank you for helping me take care of my puppy, and you were right, I had no idea how much work a dog was. Thank you for believing in me and supporting every crazy dream I've ever had (even when I wanted to be an astronaut). Thank you for letting me have the sleepovers and the friends over, and treating them like they're your own kids. Thank you for being the cool parents. Thank you for never yelling at me when I stained the carpets and trashed your house while doing my crafts. Thank you for eradicating onions from every meal you cook, because you know I hate them so much. Thank you for always putting me first and doing what's best for me even if I didn't see it at the time. Thank you for always being in my corner, but always making me see all perspectives before you supported me. Thank you for never letting me go one single day without questioning if I had anyone there for me.
Mom and Dad, I know I have my own life now and I don't need you as much as I used to, but I hope you know all of these things.