The days are counting down, and it is finally time for me to begin my adventure to college. I have big plans and big goals, some of which I would not have made without the most important people in my life; my family.

I know this is a very bittersweet time for all of you, but I am very excited for everything to come. As I pack my car full of bed sheets, laundry, soap and accent rugs I just wanted to leave all of you with a letter.

Dear Family,

I know you are sad, and I am too. Leaving home is a big step for me especially. However, I am always a phone call or a 45-minute drive away.

Remember to love each other unconditionally and hug often. I am not fortunate enough to be home every day anymore, so take full advantage of it all.

Communicate. Communicate with me and with each other. Without communication, it is extremely hard to have a close family relationship. I will not have the opportunity to communicate as much as I did at home, so please, if you could do anything for me, just talk to each other. No argument is worth a broken family. We all love each other so while I am gone just keep that in mind.

Thank you for everything you have done for me to get me to this point. Without you, I would not and could not be where I am. You have all been my motivators, and I appreciate that. I know you will continue to support me while I am at college, so just know that is ultimately what will keep me going. I can do a lot on my own but not without your love and support.

I want my brothers to know that I am extremely proud of them. Dominic, you have grown into such an intelligent person and I cannot wait to see all that you accomplish. I tried to be the best example that I could be for you, and I hope that helps you now and in the future.

Kaleb, you are still very young, and you have no idea how much I wish I could be in your shoes. It is hard to believe that after I am done college you will be almost nine years old. My advice to you both is to enjoy being a kid. You have no idea how fast it will go by. If either of you ever needs me at any point in your life know that I will be there for you.

Mom, I am not sure what else is left for me to say to you. I have pretty much written about or said everything I could possibly say to you. That being said, I will make this short and simple. Thank you. Thank you for being my mom and my best friend. Thank you for always believing in me. Thank you for always being a shoulder to cry on and listening to me vent. Thank you for being an amazing example for me. Without you, I would never have even thought about doing half of the things that I have done.

Dad and I mean that when I say dad, regardless of whether or not you are my biological father you will always be my dad. I am so glad you came into all of our lives. I can thank you a lot for what I have done in school. You never once doubted me in anything I did. I always had your full support for everything. You read almost every paper I wrote and checked my homework to make sure I was right. You always told me to take every opportunity given to me, and I have, mostly because of you.

Grandma, I love you with all my heart. I know that sometimes things are hard for you because you had to leave your home full of familiar faces, and of course, losing grandpa. Those are two very difficult things to deal with, but I could not be happier that you are so close. I used to count down the days until you would come from Ohio to see us, now you are always here. Thank you for always talking to me and listening to me when I am sad. You have no idea how much I appreciate being able to do that. Stay strong and remember that grandpa is always watching over you.

Grammy and Poppop, what do I even say to you guys? There are not enough words and thank yous in the world to show how much I appreciate you. You both helped shape me into the person that I am. Up until the age of five, I was with you almost every day. You set the very foundation of who I was to become. I hope you both are proud of me, and I hope you both know I owe a very large amount of my accomplishments to you.

Now that I have left you all with some words specific to you, I hope you remember it all and keep it with you while I am at college.

I love you all to the moon and back, thank you times a million.

Love,

Chey