I was never one of the spoiled kids. Well, at least not materialistically. I didn’t have all the coolest toys and I never got a brand-new car in high school. I received something far more valuable. My mom and dad gifted me with attention, endless love and support to think for myself.

The two of you encouraged me to be bold and opinionated. You could have molded me into whatever you wanted me to be, but you didn’t. Rather than having rules, I had support and trust to make my own decisions. I was never threatened by you and I knew I could come to you with whatever thoughts and questions I had. You allowed me to live and see life through my own experiences. I was able to have my own perspectives on everything.

When I was younger, you never told me what to believe or tried to change my mind. It was actually the opposite. More often than not, I was trying to change your minds. It would have been easier for you to ignore me and let me grow up hearing everything the two of you said and making me base my life on that, but you never did. When it was appropriate, you closed your mouths and opened your minds to me, a curious child, an opinionated teenager, and now as a passionate adult.

Now that I’m an adult, having my own individual voice and thoughts really comes in handy. Instead of rebelling and losing everything just to find myself, like a lot of people my age, I get to move forward and evolve as the person I’ve always been. My opinions are strong and it’s all thanks to the two of you.

I’m not afraid of using my voice and I know the power it has because you gave me the freedom to find it. I plan on spending the rest of my life seeking out the truth, facts, and my voice; not only professionally, but all the time. You encouraged me to be myself and to find my own way. I have no doubts that that means I will do well and do good in whatever I decide to do.

If one day I have a kid as awesome as I am, I can only hope I get to encourage them to be as independent in their thinking as I was. Being brave, being vocal, and having an opinion is all so important. Thanks to you two, I know that and I experience it every day and I get to live loudly and expressively.