Dear Mom and Dad,

You have never been just my parents, you have been everything.You have lifted me up since day one, when my legs were to weak to walk and have guided me throughout the duration of my childhood, rebellious teenage years, and now as I venture through life as a young adult.

I don’t think that any amount of thank you’s, bear hugs, or kisses would ever be enough to show you both how much I care and appreciate everything that you have always done for me and will continue to do for me throughout the rest of my life.

You are the only two people who constantly occupy my thoughts during every second of my day from the time I wake up to the time that I go to bed. Only calling you my parents would be an understatement, because you have always played a much bigger role throughout my life.

Thank you for never missing a soccer game or a cross country meet, thank you for always bandaging up a skinned knee, thank you for bringing me closer to God and for claiming to be Chef Boyardee (it made your cooking taste a lot better, Dad). Thank you for supporting my dreams and letting me pursue what I love.

I have looked up to you both in so many ways. I see how much you both have sacrificed for me and our family to have the best possible life and I know that I don’t always show you the gratitude and respect that you deserve for doing that.

You have taught me above all that being a kind and caring person is something that you should always strive for. You have taught me to have no fear when it comes to undergoing challenges. You have showed me that working hard and having faith leads to wonderful opportunities. You have taught me that family is forever, while friends, money, and success will all come and go, family will always be timeless.

You have showed me love, you have showed me love even when I have showed you anger and frustration. You have also provided me with a home, not just the structure but also in the sense of showing me what it means to be a family. Our home wouldn’t be one without the two of you holding all of us together and keeping us unified.

You have demonstrated to me what it means to give someone everything and expect nothing in return, you two are the definition of selfless. I do everything in my power to make you both proud of me and even though I have made some terrible mistakes, you have never pushed me away or turned your back on me. You demonstrate the power of forgiveness everyday.

I hope that someday I can bring someone into this world and give them everything that you have given me. I hope that they can look up at me with the same smile and happiness that I have always felt when I am around the both of you. I hope that I can be as proud of them as you two have always been of me.

Thank you for being the two people in my life who I know will never leave. Thank you for sharing the good and bad times with me. Thank you for bringing laughter, happiness, and love into the past 19 years of my life.

XOXO,

Hannah