I don't even know where to begin this letter. You are literally the best people I know, and I know a lot of people. I've been reflecting on our relationship a lot this past week; whenever I have a free moment I find myself pondering on it. Since I rolled into my nineteenth year of life two short months ago I've been comparing myself to you guys when you were this age: when Daddy was 19 he became a husband and shortly after Mama turned 19 she became a mother. I could not imagine being a wife or a mother at this point in my life, but somehow you two did it.

Your relationship has never been easy. When you two started dating, Daddy lost Papa Greg and Mama lost Papa Paul. The majority of people do not lose their parents until much later in life, but here you two were, eighteen and seventeen and both fatherless. It didn't stop there, either; you two endured the separation that came with Daddy joining the Army. Mama was navigating her senior year of high school without anyone in her corner. She moved out on her own and counted down the days until the weekend when Daddy would make the drive from Augusta to Cowpens to spend all the time he could with her.

Then the news came that Daddy would be going to Germany, so you two got married at 18 and 19, just babies, and moved to Germany alone. In the months following your marriage, Mama's wedding band broke and the church you two got married in burned down. Everyone knew it wasn't going to last, but here we are, almost 22 years later. A year and a half after you two said "I do" came me; you two left Germany, built a house and made it home and soon after, came Danny Ray. Our family was complete. From then on, me and Danny Ray have been your focus. You have taught us a million valuable lessons and we would not be half the people we are today without you.

So here it comes -- the long list of thanks.

Thank you both for never giving up on each other. Marriage is hard. I'm sure there are times when it would have been easier for you to give up, but you pushed through and I will always be grateful for that.

Thank you both for allowing me to make my dreams a reality. You finance my education and all the extras that come along with it. You two let me move to Columbia to attend school and never gave me a minute's grief, although I know you both worried and still continue to.

Thank you for always letting me be myself. From fuzzy purple sweaters to blue eye shadow, you two have always let me be myself.

Thank you for sitting through endless recitals, competitions, games, banquets and meetings. No matter how boring they might be, you guys were there, often in scrubs or your uniform because you raced there from work. I know you two must have been exhausted but you never let it show.

Mama, thank you for teaching me to never take crap from anyone. You never expected me to be timid and shy. You raised me to believe I breathe fire and I will always be grateful for that.

Daddy, thank you for never cleaning your gun when boys come to the house. You always keep your thoughts about the guys in my life under wraps until we break up. I know I'll never find someone to compare you to, but it doesn't stop me from trying!

Thank you two for always making sure we had family time. I never appreciated our pizza and movie nights until I moved out. Now not only do I have to buy my own pizza and movie, but I don't have anyone to laugh with.

This list could go on for days. You two have taught me so many lessons and have provided me with a wealth of knowledge, but have never tried to push your beliefs on me. I cherish my relationship with you two more than anything in this world, and I cannot wait to see how it progresses. My future children are so blessed to have you, and I can't wait to see you both interacting with them.

All my love,

Sissy