Dear Mom and Dad,
In less than two months, your little girl will be moving two hours away to live in a foreign town. I keep forgetting that, even though this transition is hard on me, it is even harder on both of you. Come August, the house is going to be quitter than normal. My room will be unused and the food in the house will last longer than normal. When you make plans, you’re making those plans for two people, not three. It is going to take some time to get used to, and I am sure you will both constantly worry about me, but I want you to remember these four words: it will be OK.
You have raised me to be the independent young woman I am, and you should have full faith in your parenting skills that I will be okay at college, and I will contact you to let you know how things are going. You raised me to know right from wrong, so you do not have to worry about getting a phone call from the local police explaining who crime I committed or what I have been caught with. You have taught me how to take care of myself. When you come and visit, you will not have to worry about how messy my dorm room is or if my clothes are being taken care of, because ever since I was little, you have showed me how to clean my room and take care of my belongings. You have taught me the importance of doing well in school. While in high school, you both pushed me to the best of my abilities, because you knew when I was not trying my hardest.
Most importantly, out of all the things I learned from both of you, I learned what unconditional love looks like. You taught me this by not only loving me, but loving each other. In the 18 years I have been alive, I am sure there are over a 100 things that I have done that made you annoyed or angry, yet you both still tucked me in and kissed me goodnight. You always showed me that, no matter what it was, nothing is bad enough to erase the love you both share toward me. It taught me how to love others, as well. I am able to maintain healthy relationships because you both taught me self-worth and the true meaning of love. Out of all the things you both taught me, this by-far means the most to me. It helped me get through my self-worth struggle. You both always helped remind me that I am always loved, no matter how I feel about myself or what I think about myself, someone out there loves me. This one factor is going to get me through anything college, and life, throws my way.
Going to college is going to be rough on all three of us, I understand that now, but just remember, I will be home almost every weekend – even if it is just to do laundry – and I will constantly keep in touch. When you begin to worry about how I am surviving at college, just remember that you both taught me how to be a successful, independent young lady. Thank you for raising me in a way that has prepared me perfectly for my next step in life. You will not have to worry about me, I promise.
Sincerely,
Your loving college freshman.
