Dear Mom and Dad,

Today I woke up to an obnoxious iPhone alarm tone instead of mom coming in to my room to tell me she was leaving for work and it really made me miss all of the early morning wake up calls. That got me thinking about all the times that you let me get Cocoa Puffs at the grocery in elementary school because I had “big tests” coming up, and about you forcing a protein bar into my hand as I ran out the door because I was late for high school as usual.

You always knew exactly what to have waiting for me as an afterschool snack.; we were always stocked up on Sun Chips and string cheese. I think you may need to send me a list of the essentials, because I skinned my knee tailgating the other day and didn’t even have Neosporin for the cut. Y’all always have Neosporin. And cough syrup. I could have used some of that after rush. I remember I used to fake sick just so I could stay home and eat popsicles and binge watch TV with one of you. Netflix isn’t the same without someone checking on you every few episodes.     

Do you think you could send me a blanket like the one we have on the couch? The one I have here just doesn’t cut it and I could use something that reminds me of all the nights I fell asleep there after you made my favorite dinner. Getting seconds was never a good idea, but your cooking just couldn’t be beat. I want to start swimming again just so I can remember what it was like to come home to proud parents and a big home cooked meal.

You were always the best cheering section. Email me a recording of y’all cheering so I can play it before my tests! No way I can fail that Comparative Politics midterm with Mom and Dad cheering me on, right? How great would it be if that were true? Oh and whatever happened to only having to walk a block to get to school? My classes are across campus from each other. Send me my old red Razor scooter too, please. 

Sometimes I park my car on campus and wish I were pulling into our driveway in my hand-me-down Altima again. Living here is great and all; I just think it would be a lot easier if I had you as roommates again. 

With All My Love,