Mom and Dad,

I have a lot to say to you guys starting with thank you. Thank you for bringing me into this world and protecting me from anything that could ever hurt me or get in the way of my life. You guys taught me so much in these past 18 years from how to walk to how to be brave. College has been a drastic change and I have learned how to become independent and I could not have done it if it were not for you two supporting me every step of the way. This world is a scary place and someday's I feel like it is safer for me to just stay in bed.

You push me to get out of bed everyday and face my fears and for that I am forever grateful for. You provided me with food on the table every night, a ride to soccer practice, that extra snack I begged for at the grocery store and as I grow up, I begin to wonder how you did it all. I came into your world after 17 years of you already raising kids and now as it is 18 years later and 35 years of parenting is over, you still continue to amaze each one your children everyday with all your love and support. Even when at school you provide me with a goodnight text which is exactly what I need after a day full of college classes. Thank you for being my friend when everyone else in the world seems to disappear.

Thank you for knowing I am upset and getting the information out of me. Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on when I failed a test or was anxious about something. More importantly, thank you for helping me conquer my anxiety which I never thought I was going to be able to do. When I was in 8th grade and stopped going to school because my anxiety had taken over me, you home schooled me. Come to freshmen year, you made me fight my anxiety to get back into high school and here I am today writing you this letter in my dorm room as a freshmen in college.

I never believed I would make it to this point in my life but I did and it was all thanks to your support and love. Thank you for showing me what true love looks like everyday as you kiss before you go to work and have appetizers together when you get home. I feel like you have prepared me right for the life I have ahead of me and I thank you immensely for that. Love you mom and dad, thank you for being you!