Dear Parental Units (Mom and Dad),

You guys are the best parents a girl could ask for, and this year, I am making you guys my valentines. I would like to start this buy saying thank you. Thank you making me the person I am today. Thank you for providing me the beautiful home we live in, my loud and obnoxious sisters, and for all the love you have given me. Thank you for teaching me how important family is, and for moving us to a town where we can be close to everyone. And lastly, thank you for always being there for me and my sisters, even though we can be brats and fight all the time.

I love you because you taught me to be humble and appreciate everything I have. After leaving home and meeting people from all different backgrounds, I appreciate you so much more. You have always supported me in everything I have done. You have taught me to appreciate what I have, and not envy other’s peoples things. You taught me to not out people down in order to make myself feel better, or look down on people who have less than me.

I love you because you made our family so close knit, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. You made us turn off the TV and sit down for family dinner every night, unless Avatar: The Last Air bender was on. You had us go to grandma’s and grandpa’s for a family dinner every Sunday and visit with our amazing grandparents. You made sure that we knew our heritage, and what it meant to you and your family. You taught me how important having a family and a support system to lean on is, and for that, I am forever grateful.

I love you because you have always put on a brave face for me and my sisters. You always have provided us with a safe home. When things got scary, whether it be potential job loss or a family member sick, you always made it seem like you had everything under control. You never let your weaknesses show, and that always made me feel safe.

I love you because you make me happy. Dad is always making weird jokes and Mom thinks he’s the most hilarious person in the world, and that makes me happy. Seeing you together makes me happy since not everyone has parents who are still so happy together. You make me happy because you will always eat the food left on my plate if I feel bad for not eating it. And speaking of food, you always make food that caters to all our different tastes. If one person doesn’t like the food we are eating, you will make them something different.

I love you and that’s never going to change.