This summer has been filled with memories and lessons that could last a lifetime. With individuals that have shaped me and supported me through ever decision, my family is imperfect, but with the support of each other we accomplish our dreams. As I leave for my junior year of college, I seem to be plagued with memories of my childhood, and as any individual, some memories are better than others. This summer I realized that all the bad memories of my family expecting what I felt was the impossible out of me, was them just wanting me to follow my dreams without the fear of failure.

To my daddy…

Thank you for being my best friend and the best advice giver. This summer I had the pleasure of spending an increased amount of time with you. Through the emotional roller-coaster of this summer, you have remained my rock. I honestly don’t know what I would do or who I would be without you in my life. As a little girl you were my hero and today at almost twenty-one years old you are still my hero. This is mostly contributed to all the times you were strict and protective of me; all the times you taught me a new skill that is not something a ‘typical little girl’ learned. You are my hero for all the times you came home tired from work and still helped me with my homework and asked for the recap of my day. You made your kids the center of your universe, and there was never a day I didn’t think dreams was going to come true. I owe all that I am in this life to you and your endless love and support. It has made a strong independent woman and I am proud to be your daughter. So, as I leave for my junior year college, I am reminded that through every obstacle and setback I have been prepared by the best, and I can overcome them with the tools and beliefs you have bestowed upon me in the past twenty-one years.

To my momma…

I owe you an apology for being tough on you and for giing you a hard time as you raised me. I have always found it easier to be mad at you then to tell you how much you have shaped me as an individual. You taught me that family is the one of the most important things in life, and that forgiveness is the key to relationships. Through every argument, you have given me your undying love and have tried to show me that you do want a good relationship with me. This summer I learned that having a relationship with you is the gift you could have given me, so I hope our communication and time together continues. Growing up I felt as if you didn’t have time for me -- this is mostly due to Niki needing you as she was sick and me being too young and confused to understand. But this summer you made me realize that even if I didn’t notice you were there for all the important moments of my life, you were always there supporting and picking me up when I wasn’t able to find the benefit of me falling down. Also, I owe you a thank you for not giving on me and wanting the relationship I was always dreaming of with you. I can now call you not only my mother, but one of my best friends and the person I hope to be when I grow up.

To my sister…

Growing up I seemed to resent you, and that is one of the biggest mistakes in my life! I never really appreciated you trying to parent me and this is mostly due to you not being my parent. But, as I now understand, you were just trying to protect me and teach me lessons you had already learned. This summer we have become super close and I don’t understand why we couldn’t have done this earlier in our lives. You have become my secret keeper and the supporter of all my crazy dreams and for that I cannot thank you enough. I have finally gained the relationship with my sister that I always hoped we would have, and through this friendship you have taught me a variety of lessons in a small amount of time. I am so grateful to have you in my life, and I hope that even with us being apart through the school year, we can continue this friendship and stay in touch with each other.

Love Always,

Kim