I can’t even begin to describe how thankful I am to have you guys in my life. Throughout my entire life, there have been so many things I owe to you and so many things I will never be able to repay you for.
As a young child, you dealt with me never being able to separate from my binky, constantly wiping my face, and the endless temper tantrums I had when I didn’t get what I want. But needless to say, you guys never gave up on me at the time when I needed you the most.
Throughout my elementary years, you sat down with me every night to preach that I needed to do my homework and you even took time out of your days to help me if I needed it. You constantly pushed me to meet new people and build my own personality. I always had someone to play with because I have my brother and I am forever grateful to have him as a sibling. Even though things weren’t exactly the easiest, you did your best to make sure I had the best possible life as a kid.
When things got to middle school, I understand now that I was a little more difficult. I began to wear makeup, talked back to you guys, and wanted to constantly do things my own way. Although it is a phase you claimed every child went through, you never gave up on me and always allowed me to be who I wanted to be.
In high school, things began to shape out. I envisioned a life for myself that was a little different from your own, but you always supported me with whatever path I wanted to take. I did screw up, but I always found a way to make the best of it because you always told me to own it. I learned from the mistakes I made and always pushed myself to be better because of that. Because of the hardships of high school, I was able to admit to myself that it doesn’t matter how many friends I had, what grades I had, or what I was able to do to leave a mark, but as long as I tried my best, you guys would be happy for me. At graduation, you guys were all there cheering me on and helping me remember the memories I had while in high school.
But, now, here I am, in college and making the most of my experiences there. The first few days, I admitted defeat and I wanted to leave and go home to you guys. I wasn’t used to being away from you guys because you guys are my home. But you helped me get through it. You guys helped me realize that I am where I need to be and you guys have supported me with everything I’ve done so far and everything I am striving to do in the future at school.
Today, I was able to sit down and write this letter to you. It makes me laugh at all the funny things that have been said, it makes me smile at the happy moments and cry because of the sad ones. But not only for me, do you guys do everything in your power, but you are able to do that for the people around you as well. Through your daily job that you go to every day or through the parent or sibling “job” you do every day.
I am forever grateful to have my little brother who looks out for me as I also do for him. Although we don’t always get along, I know I would walk to the ends of the Earth to make sure you were safe and I definitely know you would do the same for me. There are so many memories we have together that I would never trade for the world and I don’t know what I would do without you.
And for you, as my parents, I cannot thank you enough for the sacrifices you have made and a number of times you forgave me for the stupid things I did. I cannot appreciate the amount of things you have done for me and I hope you always know you are appreciated and loved unconditionally for helping me become the person I am today.
