Mom and Dad,

Thank you.

The greatest gift I've ever had came from heaven; I call them my parents.

Since the day I was born you guys have worked together to give me everything I ever wanted and more. You took care of me and continue to do so in more ways than I can count and for that I will be forever grateful.

You helped me learn how to walk and how to read, how to write and how to speak. You helped me learn new languages and embrace my culture. You helped shape my view of the world by teaching me both through books and through experience. I will never forget all our family trips and the places we have lived in the world; the cities I hold dear to my heart.

I know you don't hear this enough and even if I told you every minute of every day it simply would not be enough - I love you. It may not seem like it most days but you guys really are my world and everything I want and hope to be as a parent.

I wish grandma and grandpa were still alive. They would have been proud of all you've accomplished, Dad. Even you, Mom. You guys built an amazing foundation for my brother and I and taught us that family is the most important thing. I'm sure grandma and grandpa are looking down on us and smiling because they're so proud of the wonderful, absolutely brilliant humans they have raised. I know I'm proud and I thank God everyday for giving me such loving parents.

I'm sorry it took so long for me to realize everything you have done and continue to do for me. I guess college life does really open your eyes to independence. One day I'm sitting at home while Mom's making lunch and the next I'm trying to figure out which places are open and accept meal plans at 9pm.

Mom, thank you for being you. Thank you for using all your energy to wake me up every morning so I wouldn't miss the bus and making sure I had a quick bite to eat - even if I was a pain every morning.

Dad, thank you for being you. Thank you for making me realize that I'm worth everything, I must be treated like a queen, and that I should never settle for less than what I deserve.

To both of you, Mom and Dad, thanks for being with me every step of the way. From graduating sixth grade, to moving to Tbilisi and then to Johannesburg, from graduating high school to moving me into my college dorm and now my first apartment. Thank you for staying up with me on Sunday nights trying to finish my Economics papers and listening to me rant about what was going on in school. Thank you for standing up for me to some of my teachers and for making sure I was always happy.

Mom, thank you for your personality. For sharing your love of life, sense of humour, excitement for every experience, overuse of emojis, and knack for learning. Thank you for also sharing your love of Coach handbags with me, I can never thank you enough.

Dad, thank you for showing me what hard work looks like. For showing me that nothing comes easy, and that countless hours of blood, sweat and tears really do pay off - also the countless hours of you working late in the night and while we're on vacation. Thank you for showing me that it is possible to find a job that you love and be passionate about helping others.

Mom, thanks for constantly reminding me to stay true to myself and to my religion. I know I always act annoyed when you say these things and it's only because I've heard them so many times, but I will never be more grateful to have you has a rock in my life keeping me grounded.

Dad, thank you for always reminding me that I am smarter and more capable than I appear to be at times. For giving me the push I needed and for supporting me physically, emotionally and financially.

To both of you, Mom and Dad, thank you for helping me cultivate who I am and showing me who I want to be. Thank you for being amazing role models even if I always tell you you aren't mine. Thank you for putting so much faith and trust in me that sometimes I even wonder if I deserve it all. Most important, thanks for helping keep our family close knit and helping me learn the true meaning of family. Thank you for making sure I maintain a relationship with all my cousins, aunts and uncles.

Thank you for telling me constantly that everything is going to be okay. That one bad grade won't ruin my life forever and that God always has a plan for us. Thanks for always giving me advice even though I never verbally asked - I always needed it.

Thank you for always making me feel loved and cherished. And for letting me be your princess. Thank you for letting me decide where we went on family vacations and going along with it (let's be real, we wouldn't have gone anywhere I didn't want to). Thank you for funding my travels and my shopping addiction. Thank you for encouraging me to continue helping others and engaging with local communities.

Thank you for being you and working together as a team to raise a pair of kickass kids, if I do say so myself (obviously me being the kid who kicks ass the best even though he's the one who has had more time with you).

I will never be able to thank you enough or show my gratitude enough. No words or actions can properly explain how much you mean to us rowdy kids. Nothing can ever explain all the gratitude we feel towards you both and how much we look up to you, even when it seems like we want to live oceans away from you.

To both of you, Mom and Dad, you are my world and I am so thankful to be your not-so-little, little girl.

I love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, forever and always.

Yours truly,

Your supercalifragilisticexpialidocious daughter