Dear Mom and Dad,

Where has the time gone? Life seems so busy these days and time is moving too quickly. I've grown up right before your eyes and under your nose. Before you know it I'll be out on my own, taking care of my own life, becoming a man. My, oh, my has the time flown by.

I still remember those days when I ran around thinking I was a dinosaur, stomping around and roaring like a Tyrannosaurus Rex. I'm sure you thought you really messed up some how, but don't worry, I was just a weird ass kid back in the day.

I am thankful for the strength you both have, the strength to fight adversity, the strength to stand together and the strength to sacrifice so much for me and Gunner. You both do an amazing job at holding the household together, and our lives. I don't know where I would be without you two.

Mom, thank you for choosing to give birth to me and thank God you didn't realize it was one of the best and biggest mistakes of your life. I know I can be a shit most of the time, but don't think your efforts go unnoticed. I will for ever appreciate 4 a.m. rides to power skate for hockey when I was a pee wee. I hated going, but because you and Dad forced me to go I became a better hockey player and you guys are largely to thank. Thank you for being at every hockey game, for screaming louder than any parent in the stands and always telling me I did a good job even when it wasn’t my best. Thank you for all the laundry you do, and for cleaning up after my messes for the past 19 years (I’ll keep trying to work on that one). Most importantly thanks for always being a crying shoulder, I know when I want to open up I can always come and talk to you about anything.

Dad, thanks for always being a hard ass, I’m not sure you ever realized this, but every kid on any sports team I was ever apart of was scared shitless of you. I always thought that was kind of funny. One could always find you standing off by yourself at my hockey games, too intense about how the team was playing to interact with other parents. Don’t worry though because Mom being a jabber box, made up for your lack of socialization.

The days when I wouldn't get up for school are long gone, but I will always remember your voice, coming into my room at six in the morning as if you were a drill sergeant yelling , “get up, get up, get out of the rack!” I hated it back then, and I would still find it annoying today but I know that was one of the many ways you showed you cared. Thanks for pushing me to be better, “good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best.” You've left me with some pretty catchy phrases I can use on my kids one day. Thanks for being a good role model and a hard worker, believe it or not I do look up to you.

Mom and Dad, you guys are awesome parents and doing everything right, but I really think you both need to learn to be a little less up tight. Dad you probably work more than anyone I know, and that's OK bills need to be paid, but don't forget to take a chill pill every now and then. Smell the roses, feel the sunshine and breath in some fresh air. Life is stressful and it's a thousand times more stressful as an adult, but work is not everything. Enjoy these short years you have left with Gunner before he grows up too; these are the best years of his life so don't ruin them by pushing him too hard. Let him grow and have fun as a kid, and remember sports are meant to be fun, winning is not everything.

Mom keep hanging in there. I know life is very difficult for you right now, but you need to take more time do things for yourself. You're the glue to this family and you make sure everything in our life is running smoothly, but sometimes take a step back, inhale then exhale and notice where you are. You're the best mom anyone could ask for, and don't ever forget that. Remember that we can’t always control the circumstances of our life, only the way we perceive and react to them. Everything well workout the way its meant to and as much as one would like to have a say as to what happens, we don’t.

I love you both Mom and Dad, even though we've had a rocky past, I know the future is smooth for us. Take care of yourselves, love passionately and remember that life is like the waves of an ocean. One has to ride the ups and downs of its storms, and relax in the times of calm and stillness. I love you guys always.

-Hunter