Thank you for making me independent…

Whether it was on purpose or by accident, you made me a strong, independent woman, who never needs anyone to provide my happiness but myself.

Thanks for being my amusement ride buddies…

Although it may seem weird, one of the biggest worries as an only child is being on a ride all by yourself. It's one of the scariest and loneliest feelings, but with you, I always had a hand to hold onto.

Thank you for giving me everything (even when times were tough)…

We started from the bottom (and now we here). I never felt like I was left out of any fad, activity, or sport. Not having older siblings meant you didn’t know how the shopping or sport/activity registration worked, but together, we got through it all.

I always had the greatest for everyday life and even when we weren’t doing so hot with finances, you made sure I had the best of the best and more.

Thank you for making me feel like I was enough…

Only child. Emphasis on ONLY. When you’re an only child you feel as if you need to make your parents proud; you’re all they have and you wouldn’t dare fail the people who have given you everything…literally.

With everything I do, you make me feel as if I’ve always made you the happiest parents and you wouldn’t ever want/need any more kids other than me.

Thank you for never letting me be lonely…

Being a singular kid is hard when you’re inside on a rainy day with nobody else to play with, but you made it so much better by playing the Wii with me for hours on end or rewatching "Despicable Me" probably 20 times over.

Thank you for letting me have my freedom…

Most only-child parents are “helicopter” parents, and although sometimes you may be, I always have had my freedom.

Freedom of speech, church, bedtime, friends, etc. You never questioned my decisions or judgment, and I grew so much from learning from my own mistakes.

Thank you for making me feel like I was always part of the decisions…

Even though you didn’t have to, you both always made me feel like I had a say in all of the household decisions and plans. Including a child may not have always been ideal but it always made me feel like I was important.

Thanks for being my biggest cheerleaders…

While I may have been the actual cheerleader in the house, you both always came to every sporting event, play, recital, graduation, and all the important life milestone’s. You did it without hesitation and cheered louder than anyone else.

You are both very busy people, but I was never one of the children wondering if my parents would show up; I always knew you would be there for me.

Thank you for never giving up on me…

Attending all of my events and going to every parent-teacher conference meant you believed in me. I had my good times and bad times in life, but no matter what, you knew I would get through it.

You may or may not have had the opportunity to have other kids but either way, you believed in me enough to have only one “shining star."

Thank you for putting all your faith in me…

Like believing in me, you put all your faith in me. Faith in me to be respectful, resourceful, successful, and make the right decisions for every situation.

Thank you for being my best friends…

Last, but definitely not least, thank you for being my best friends. I may have many friends, but you two are the best. We do everything together. We talk about everything (good or bad). We get through everything together. Not everyone can have this kind of relationship with their parents, but I’m so fortunate to have this with both of you.

At this point, lets face it, you're stuck with me.

Love,

Your Only Child