To Mom and Dad,

I made it.

I'm alive, I've only gained 3.5 pounds, and I miss you terribly. As I sit at my computer thinking about the people I've met on my journey this far, I can only look at my life with gratefulness that I had two amazing parents like you.

I want to thank you for always being the two people I can count on.

Thank you for taking the time to ask me how my day was, every single day.

Never have I been more appreciative for the home cooked meals you made me for the first eighteen years of my life. I miss those.

I can't tell you how much your trust has meant to me. I see the broken relationships of other peers and it makes me so appreciative that we have such a good and open connection.

I'm thankful that you used to make me clean my room because now there is no one to make me clean my room and it is getting a little scary...

It's so weird going from a small town with your own group of people to this new crazy society where everyone has a background and a story that you know nothing about.

People are so good. And then you meet someone else and realize that the world isn't made up of all sunshine and rainbows.

I've learned so far in this month that life isn't perfect.

I've learned to love the good days for the joy and memories and appreciate the bad days for the lessons and the struggle.

It's crazy to think that a mere 31 days ago, I was still under your wing but now here I am, 31 days into a new road of life.

I am thankful for the love and guidance, but I am more thankful for the lessons you have taught me; to be myself, appreciate the differences, and to learn from mistakes.

Thank you for letting me be me, and teaching me how to be independent.

I love you and I miss you,

Your month old college daughter.