Dear Mom and Dad,

This week, thousands of high school seniors received their acceptance letters to the faraway colleges they’ve always dreamed about. At the same time, like you did two years ago, their parents were experiencing the first sign that their babies are on their way out the door soon.

I remember that day perfectly – receiving my acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania was a moment that I had waited for practically my whole life. What’s more important was how you responded. Mom, when I called you to tell you that I had been accepted, you yelled out to everyone at your work, “She got in!” Thank you for always being so proud of me. Dad, you pulled in the driveway as I opened my acceptance letter and when I ran out to tell you, you already had bought me a bouquet of flowers to congratulate me. Thank you for having so much confidence in me – even when I was unsure that I’d be accepted, you knew I’d get in. Both of you, thank you for showing that kind of love. You easily could’ve shown your sadness that I’d be moving 700 miles away in a few short months, but instead you chose to put me first, like you had for my whole life.

Until now, I’ve been unable to realize how much you’ve actually done for me. Unfortunately, as is the case with many college students, it’s taken moving away and being unable to come home to finally realize how much you, and the things you’ve done for me, mean to me. Now I want to thank you for the things you've done for me, then, now, and always.

Dad, thank you for teaching me never to give up. You coached me for most of my softball years, bringing me from a “supporting player” to a starting first-basemen and clean-up hitter. There were times I wanted to give up, when I thought I’d never amount to anything, but you showed me that I could be the best if I wanted to. You showed me that practice makes perfect.

Mom, thank you for being my number-one fan. You were never obligated to come to every softball game. No one made you come to every band competition. You always made it a priority to be in the front row at all of my events, big or small. Having someone to believe in me so much pushed me to be the best at everything I could be; I always wanted to make you and Dad proud.

Dad, thank you for showing me the kind of relationship a daughter and father should have. You were my best friend growing up. I’ve had no better friend since then.

Mom, thank you for loving me unconditionally. We had our disagreements as I grew up, but no matter how foolish I acted, you were always there for me. You provided a shoulder for me to cry on when I was weak and always reminded me that I was loved when I felt like the whole world was against me. You’ve supported me through all of my mistakes because you’ve chosen to.

Dad, thank you for raising me to be a tomboy. You raised me to be tough as nails, a lesson that has stuck with me ever since. “Rub some dirt on it and run it off” has become a way of life. Also, joke's on those who don’t know how to change a tire or check their oil because their dad wasn’t as cool as mine.

Mom, thank you for always making time for me. Between work and running the household, you had your hands full. But no matter what, we always went to dinner on Friday nights together. The week may have been hectic, but rarely did something come in the way of our Friday night. Sunday nights were always family dinner time. You made sure that no matter how crazy our lives got, family was always number one.

Both of you, thank you for showing me the meaning of respect. Thank you for letting me make my own mistakes. Thank you for letting me learn from those mistakes. Thank you for teaching me responsibility (you’d be seriously surprised how many kids can’t do their own laundry). Thank you for teaching me to be independent. Thank you for keeping it real; you never told me what I wanted to hear, but always what I needed to hear. Thank you for teaching me the meaning of hard work.

But most importantly…

Thank you for showing me the true meaning of love and sacrifice, the true meaning of selflessness. We may not have had much, but you gave everything you had to create amazing futures for my sister and me. You gave everything you had, knowing that the day would soon come that we would both go out on our own. You realized that the most important things to teach your children were things that money can’t buy: manners, morals, respect, intelligence. You never wanted us to be like you, rather to prepare us for the best future we could have.

So when I remember my childhood, I want you to know that I don’t remember the bad times – I remember that my parents gave it their all, knowing nothing would be given in return. I also want you to know that even today, as I sit 700 miles away with my own husband and own life, I’d give anything to have those Sunday night family dinners back.

Sincerely,

Your Daughter