Mom and Dad,

I know I haven't been home in months, and I know you understand that I'm busy, but I just wanted to take the time to say how much I love both of you. And also to thank you for everything that you do. You know I'm better with my words when I write than when I speak, so here it goes!

I've thought about you both pretty much everyday. When I was sick, I cuddled with the afghan mom crocheted me. I like to call it my "sick blanket" because it always somehow seems to make me feel just a little bit better. You rock, mom.

When I was feeling down, I would think about the weird smiley faces that dad would draw on the marker board on the fridge, and I would doodle them in my notes. This never failed to put a smile on my face.

Work is getting stressful to balance with my double major and my full load of classes this semester (most of which are upper-division classes). So I've been thinking how hard both of you work. How hard both of you have always worked not only to give us kids what we needed, but what we often wanted, too.

You guys have taught me how to love. You both have taught me how stand up for myself, and how to keep working hard at the things that I love to do. I know you have read these words multiple times from me, but that's only because they are so true. That's another thing you've taught me, to be true to myself and to those around me.

In the recent years, you've taught me that it's never too late to find out who you really are, and it's okay to change. Both of you, from what I've heard, have changed since you were my age. And it seems to be for the better. You both give me the hope that I will one day be a great parent because both of you are great parents.

But you're not only great parents, you're also great friends, great neighbors. Both of you, mom and dad, are so selfless when it comes to people in need. That's something I'm still working on. I'm still pretty selfish a lot of the time. Just know I'm still looking up to both of you. I learn things from you every time I'm with you.

I guess I also want you to know that I miss home, too. I miss waking up on the weekends to the smell of coffee and pancakes and eggs. I miss dad having his TV show on the highest volume so he won't miss a single word. I miss the home-cooked meals and the delicious desserts that tend to follow. I miss how loud mom laughs when she's on the phone with someone. I miss all of these and more.

I guess the bottom line is: I miss you guys. And I promise to visit as soon as I have time. You were both 20, once. You know how hectic it can get.

Love,

Your College Student