Dear Mom and Dad,

In a little over a month, I'll be starting a new chapter in my life. This chapter includes starting college, moving out, working and pretty much being responsible for myself. I know this is a hard and scary time for you, it's scary for me, too. You're watching your little girl grow up and you aren't ready for me to leave. I'm not even 100 percent ready to leave. The thought of being an adult is kind of scary at times.

Over the past 19 years, you have done everything you can to teach me everything I need to know for the real world. You have taught me right from wrong, how to be a decent person, how to stick up for myself, but mostly how to be independent and count on no one. There's no room for weakness in the real world and if you can't be independent or stick up for yourself, you'll never make it.

Through the years we have had our ups and our downs. Over the years we have grown to be pretty closer and I couldn't be more thankful for everything you guys do for me. I know it doesn't seem like it, but I take the life lessons and all the advice you give me to heart and I really do listen to it.

I have a lot of growing up to do, and a lot of the world to experience. I know that I'm going to make plenty more mistakes in life, some that you will be able to get me out of, and others that I will have to learn to work out on my own. Just because I'm moving out and going to college doesn't mean I will never need my parents again. I'll always be your baby girl and I'll always need your help in life.

I know that me moving out is a big change and is really hard on you guys. Honestly, I'll probably be home all the time to study, do laundry, eat, visit the dogs or just hang out. It'll almost be like I never even moved out. I always know I have a place to go and a bed to sleep in if times get hard.

My whole life you have worked so hard to make sure we have the things we need and then the extra. We don't live a big fancy life, but we have nice things and even when times were hard you would sacrifice things that you wanted to make sure my brother and I had things. You always tried to go the extra mile for us, even if we didn't see it or appreciate it at the time.

I love you guys very much and I'm going to miss our daily laughs and annoying y'all every day. I know that I always have your love and support in the decisions I make, even when you don't necessarily agree with them. Remember, even though it's time for me to go "adult," I'll always be your baby girl.

Love,

Your daughter