Dear Mom and Dad,

In the last couple days after coming back home, being away for the past few months, I have been struck each day with how lucky I am to have such wonderful parents such as you. I probably do not demonstrate it enough, probably don't reply to messages as quickly as I should, or Skype as often as I should-- but know that that doesn't mean I care any less. I am so thankful for you both, and every unique dynamic that you bring to our family that I love so dearly.

Through little things, you demonstrate both your love to me, to David, and to each other. I realize that I used to take this for granted, and thought that this was the norm. However, I now know that this is definitely not the case, and I am infinitely grateful and blessed to have this community of love to come home to. By driving me places, making my favourite meal, showing me funny videos, and just checking in to see how I'm doing, I am able to experience true comfort and relaxation in being with family who truly accept and love me for who I am.

I am so grateful that you have both always been so supportive in who I am and what I choose to pursue. Looking back on past years, I am a bit chagrined at some of the choices I made and things that I held to be so important. It would have been easy for you to rebuke me, or to try and make me do what you would want me to do, but instead you let me learn through my experiences, and I am eternally grateful for this. I know that I have grown as a person so much more because of it, and have had to personally decide what values I hold true, instead of rebelling against values being shoved onto me.

Thank you for taking the time to do things with David and me, and genuinely caring about what is going on in our lives. With both of us being away, it would be pretty easy to simply step back and stop being engaged in our lives, but you still make the effort to show that you care about both of us and are thinking of us through everything that we are working on/going through. And that can really mean the world, when everything feels too overwhelming at school, to know that there will always be someone who is on your side, rooting for you through it all.

So thank you, for all that you do. I love every aspect of our family in ways that I have come to appreciate more and more as I have gone away to school. Because there is no where else where I am as fully understood and accepted, and also given the time on my own that I need. I love being home, and will miss you both deeply when I go back to school, but you will never be far in my heart.