Dear Mom and Dad,

I want to thank you for everything you have done for me while I was growing up. I know that it wasn't easy raising my siblings and me, but you managed to juggle everything to give us the most opportunities you could. As I get ready to leave, I want you to know how appreciated and loved you are.

I may not have said it as often as I should have, and I wish I could take back every time I said that I didn't like you. I loved you every moment, I just simply did not understand that you were doing what was best for me at the time. Being a parent is never easy, but you did an outstanding job. Without you, there is no way I would be where I am today- physically and metaphorically. I know it is not easy for you to see me leave, but God has many plans for my life, and it is time for me to fly out of the nest. Do not worry, I will call often and visit when I can.

I hope you find peace in the quiet house, and I hope you have to clean less because I am gone. I hope you are able to enjoy the fact that you guys have some more time for yourselves. You have taken care of me for almost two decades, you deserve some alone time, finally. When you feel lonely, know I am thinking of you too. When you feel like you are bored because I am not there to do things with, try a new hobby. I hope that you can easily start this new chapter of your life as a parent of an adult.

Know that I am not moving away to leave you behind. You have helped mold me into who I am today, and, therefore, I will always carry a piece of you with me. It is not always easy for me either. Somedays I want nothing more than to cuddle up on the couch and have a family movie marathon. When I miss birthdays and anniversaries, there is nothing that I want more than to be there to celebrate. I think of you at least 100 times a day, and I promise you that you will never be forgotten. Sometimes it may seem like I forget because I will get so busy and have so many new friends, that I will not realize how long it has been since we have really talked.

I hope that one day I can be as great of parents as you were to me. You sacrificed time, energy, sleep, money and anything we needed in order to give my siblings and me the amazing lives we have. I am moving away to start my new life and to find where my place is in this world. I will always need you no matter how old I get. I may not visit as often as we would like, but I will do my best to always make the trip to see you guys. Do not be afraid to call me, some weeks may be hectic and I will forget.

Thank you Mom and Dad. Because of you I am not afraid of what the future holds for me, and I am excited to have you supporting me the whole way.

Love,

Your Little Girl