My endless search for self-purpose and fulfillment, that's my dad.

My drive to be the best and constantly be accomplishing, that's my mom.

My mom gave me my long torso and muscular build, my dad gave me my hazel eyes and pasty skin. They both gave me my flaming red locks.

They've given me everything I've ever asked for. When I was young and I wanted to play every sport, they signed me up. When I needed help with my reading and writing in first grade, my mother sat down with me every night and walked me through the alphabet. Whenever I was lost in a fit of rage, screaming and tearing out my own hair, it was my father's hands that came to rest on my shoulders. His hands that eased my breathing and wiped my tears away. It was my mother that spent hours in our backyard with me, coaching me in a sport that she herself was just getting to know.

My father always nurtured that which is creative and thoughtful about me. He encouraged me to develop my talent for words when I first showed promise and reminded me every day what I was missing when I gave writing up.

I hate to say it, but he was also my punching bag through my angst-filled teenage years. He took the full force of my mean-spirited insults, and responded with forgiveness.

My mother set examples for me to prove that a working woman could be everything to her family and have an accomplished career. She stayed up countless nights. At the hospital, earning to provide for me and my siblings. In my bed, whenever my fears became too overwhelming to face on my own, and I needed relief from my demons.

They made me get the help that I needed when I was 19, and I came to them after a sleepless night full of self-loathing and scary thoughts. They answered the 3 a.m. phone call I made from the hospital last May, and dropped everything to drive 200 miles to be with me. They've always had the Band Aids for my cuts, and provided the pep talks for my rainy days.

They still have the advice I need when I'm struggling with self-doubts. My dad talks me through genetics class and applying to grad school. My mom gives me chemistry tips and catches me up on the latest soccer news I miss. They taught me to always look at an argument from another's perspective and to never jump to conclusions. They've shown me what it takes to raise a family, and they've set the bar pretty high. They've taught me to constantly improve myself, but not to get worked up over the failures. They've taught me to always question those in charge, to march to the beat of my own drum, and to always walk down the street with a smile.

They drove four hours this weekend to see my team play in our home opener, because they know what this season means to us and how long I've worked for this opportunity. They always read my articles.

So Mom, Dad, I love you, and thanks for always buying dinner!