Whether you want to think about it or not, your parents gave you life. For most of the people I know, your parents are the ones that raised you- they watched you take your first steps, fed you, bathed you, taught you how to ride a bike and brush your teeth, took you to soccer practice and dance recitals and cried at every single big event in your life (learning how to ride a bike and brush your teeth, dropping you off at your first day of kindergarten and your first day of college, etc.). Parents are supposed to be there for you and love you unconditionally.
My relationship with my parents was not always as it is now. It took a long time, and for a long time, my parents and I seemed to be from different planets. When I was younger, my parents seemed to be the adversary; always having the power to tell me “no", always seemingly pinned against me in any conversation or disagreement; it seemed I could never do anything well enough for them. For a long time, especially during my angsty middle school and high school years, though I loved and respected my parents, I couldn't wait to get as far away from my home and my parents as possible.
Among the aspects of my life that going to college has altered, the role it has played in changing my relationship with my parents has been one of the best. From the first night they helped me unpack and dropped me off at my freshman dorm, I knew something had changed for us. My parents and myself for some reason seemed to be… god forbid, getting along. Easily. Freely. I didn't and still don't know exactly when or why or how it happened, but I've decided not to question it too much. As far as I'm concerned, I'm beyond happy with this shift.
Ever since leaving for college, I am unashamed to admit my parents have become two of my best friends. The love I had and will always have for them and the ties that will always connect us through blood have remained, but beyond that we've begun a relationship built on mutual respect, trust, and understanding. I have begun to understand how much they have done for me throughout my life, though I'm not sure I will ever be able to fully ascertain just how much.
It is now easy for me to talk to them about anything as I have begun my transition into my life without them, and as cliche as it may be, they are always there for me (my mom has become a master of the art of texting during my time away) and seem to always know just what to say or do to make many of my daily trials and tribulations easier on me. I find myself wanting to hang out with them rather than go out, and wanting to spend more and more time with them. And with that time learning more and more about them as individuals rather than just simply my parents. Their lives before me fascinate me almost as much as my life now fascinates them.
My parents and I haven't always had the best relationship; often during my time growing up, it seemed they were never on my side. Now, I can only look back on that time in our lives and find peace with that part of our lives and be enthused with how much we as a family have grown in our relationship to and with each other. I will always be thankful for my time in college for perhaps giving us the necessary space both ends needed to begin to form this now stronger-than-ever bond that the distance between us only makes stronger every day.
