Dear Mom And Dad,
I know that Mother's Day was on Sunday, but I decided to write a letter to both of you because I feel like you two should be celebrated all the time.
Mama, thank you for being as sweet as you are. You're really awkward. And really embarrassing. But you're still one of the nicest people I know. Thanks for blessing me with my good looks and my intelligence because Lord knows I did not get them from Daddy (LOL). You were a writer in college, and here I am as a freshman doing the exact same thing. It's clear that I take after you in a lot of ways. Thank you for being supportive in my decision to not pursue medicine as a career. I know that Dad really wanted it, and you did, too. But you were always the one who told me that I didn't have to be a doctor if it wouldn't make me happy. Thank you for always being someone I can talk to. And thanks for being the patient one in the house. Dad, John and I could learn a lot from you if we just tried.
Dad, thanks for being supportive, too. Whenever I get a bad grade on a test or fail in some other way, you always tell me that the only thing that matters is that I did my best. Thanks for teaching me how to be strong when I'm hurt or upset. I definitely get my strong personality from you. Thanks for the hilariously encouraging texts riddled with random emojis that you send me from time to time. Thanks for the spontaneous FaceTime sessions. I'm always happy when I'm able to talk to you, even for a little while. Thanks for always keeping me in check.
Mom and Dad, you two have been through so much. I love hearing your stories about what it was like growing up in the Philippines. Mom's stories are always so relatable. I guess it's because you're the oldest in your family. I still remember when you told me about the time where you got all four of your siblings to practice jumping out of the house in case the religious wars in your town got out of hand. That's the kind of leader and sibling that I want to be. Dad, I love all the stories you've told me. It's incredible hearing your experiences with martial law and growing up with 11 siblings. I think it's cool that you'd attend prayer protests in college as a way of standing up against the Marcos Regime. I know you guys aren't super active, but I really do think I get my outspokenness from both of you. You're my greatest source of encouragement, and my biggest inspirations. I feel really lucky to have you as my parents. Y'all are the best.
Love,
Your Daughter
