Dear Mom and Dad,

First off, I’ll give you a moment to hold back the nausea from how sickeningly sweet and trite my sub-header was. It’s ok, I know it’s true — it even rhymed. Dunno if it gets much worse than that.

Anyway, I had a point here; I should probably make it.

When I graduated from high school in 2013, I named you both as two of the greatest reasons for my success — I described how your wisdom, compassion, patience, and so much more all combined to form my greatest assets, aids, and sources of assistance. You two were the secret weapons in my arsenal for success.

That could not be more true today, as I stand and look back over four years of college. These were my first steps into independent adulthood, and though I do think I did pretty well for someone of my age, I still know the utter truth — I could not hope to have done it without you.

You both supported me all the way through college on every level imaginable—financial, emotional, intellectual, etc. In this age of nigh-impossible tuition costs and loan repayment, you spared me from the hellish reality that so many of my peers must face. God knows I’m fortunate to have you two looking out for me as you have.

Dad,

As always, your calm logic and intellectual discussions allowed me to elevate the level of my conversations with my professors, leaving an even greater impression. For as long as I live, I will never forget the truth that the needs of the many outweigh those of the few.

Mom,

You were and still are my emotional anchor in our family. You keep me grounded, on track, and on my way towards becoming more like the man I should be. I’ve said it to you so many different times in countlessly various ways—I honestly don’t know what else I can possibly say to thank you at this point.

You really aren’t thanked or appreciated nearly enough for all that you do — not just you two, but all dedicated and loving parents. You deserve more, and I certainly hope that as I move toward becoming my own man, I will be able to pass on a fraction of the virtues that you showed me to a new generation.

Sincerely your fortunate son,

Terry