Mama and Diddy,

For the past 19 years, I've been under your roof. Sure there's been times where I've been on mission trips or to camps, but I was never gone for more than a week at a time. It was until the last couple of weeks that I realized I have one more year where I will be living under your roof. One more year of weekly family dinners. One more year of calling and telling you when I'm going to be home. One more year of being able to walk down the hall to see me. In just one year, it'll be texts, FaceTimes, and weekend visits, but here's what I want you to know before we cross that bridge.

Thank you. Thank you for supporting me in whatever I do. Thank you for encouraging me to be myself. Thank you for pushing me to be the best me that I can be. Thank you for always making sure that I had everything I ever needed and wanted. Thank you for teaching me to be independent and to support myself. Thank you for letting me learn on my own, even if you knew it would end in heartbreak. Thank you for always having open arms. Thank you for being both a parent and a friend. Thank you for always having open arms. Thank you for never saying 'I told you so' even if you were right. This is just the tip of the iceberg, I'll never be able to fully thank you for everything you've done.

You taught me the importance of family. You never let me or my sister go a day without knowing how much you love us, and I can't tell you how much that means to me and it will be something I remember for the rest of my life. You taught me how to drive, and only God knows how either of us survived that. You taught me the importance of having a strong faith and relationship with God, but you allowed me to form my own relationship rather than forcing me to believe what you believe.

No matter how old I get, I hope you never doubt how much I love you and appreciate you. I may be almost 20 years old, but no matter how old I get, I will always be your baby girl.

I love you to the moon and back,

Your first (and favorite) daughter