I knew I wanted to write something that wouldn’t just resonate with my generation, but every generation to ever come or ever was. I wanted people who are older than me and younger than me to feel something, to understand this post and to remember the sacrifices made of these people for them. Here are five major things my parents have taught me in the 23 years of my life existence. I hope you can relate, relive, love and remember all of what your parents have taught you and hope to pass on to your children as well.

1. Your faith is important.

It is the center of who you are and who you will be. My parents raised us in a little old church right down the road from our house when I was little, and I will forever be grateful for their teachings in how to make Jesus our life, and how we should serve others with love and compassion like He would do. My faith is what gets me through the best times, and the hard times. Knowing Jesus is always there for me, and that when the time is right I will be at home with Him, makes the peace of life a little more settling.

2. Family is always first, no matter what.

I am the youngest of 4 girls. I can say from experience family will forever be by your side, no matter what, even through the hard times. There is nothing more than those little moments that my parents have instilled in my heart like the moments we all have as a family that make my heart happy. Family will always be there. When you need them, they will always help you out.

3. Love is the greatest thing of all.

My parents have been married for 40 years, and if I have someone love me half as much as my daddy loves my momma, I will be okay. My dad is head over heels for my mom and adores her more than I will ever know. He is always there for her and she is always there for him. They support each other, they love each other, they lean on each other and they’ve raised four daughters together that are chasing their dreams one day at a time. Their love for each other will withstand anything, and everything. I am so blessed to have them as parents, and to know that their love has conquered all and will forever stand as a unit of one.

4. Work hard and you will be successful.

My mom has been an educator for over 40 years, and my dad has been at the same place for 40 years. They have worked hard to get to where they are at today, and they instill that into me every single day. Working hard isn’t just at what your job is, but even after you get home from work. You work hard every single day of your life to become the best version of you, and to be the best at what you can achieve. No matter what I have done in my life, working hard has always been the one thing they’ve told me to do no matter what.

5. Support will carry you through it all.

My parents have supported me through everything. They have been there when I have done one of my greatest achievements in graduating high school and they have been there for me at my lowest of lows. Support is the biggest thing they have ever taught me. To support the people you love and to stand by them whenever they need you is something I always just learned out of habit, but in the recent years I have learned that it is the glue that holds people together, and the glue that makes people stick. I am so thankful for the support my parents have given me through everything I have done.

What have your parents taught you about life? I know that love, family, faith and support are some of the key foundations of life. I am excited to share with you about my parents. They are my best friends and I will forever be blessed to be one of four of their daughters.