I think I can say this for most, I don’t even know where to start when thanking my parents for everything they have done and continue to do in my life. Without them, I would in the most literal sense not be here today. They not only created me, but also are the people that will always be there throughout my life.

Though I know there was a struggle for both us of making the transition to me being a teenager to a young adult, I couldn’t be more grateful for you having the balance of giving me space to become independent while also supporting me.

Thank you for not being a helicopter parent.

You have given me the necessary space in order to become my own person. I am fully aware that me moving away was not an easy task for either of us, but you showed me a balance of being there for me when I needed some advice without trying to control the decisions I made.

Thank you for always supporting me.

Throughout my life, this has always been apparent, but moving into adulthood, it’s in a different aspect than before. You continue to help me financially, which gives me the freedom to have the time to focus on what I came to college to do. Though you don’t fully financially support me, I am grateful for that because it gives me balance. On the other hand, you support me with any direction that I want to take in life. You both know I have changed my mind on my major and still am juggling a few different career paths I possibly want to take. But, you have always just wanted me to be happy and give me the freedom to find my own way. And I couldn’t be more grateful for that. Because I know no matter what job I am in or what I choose to do with my life that you will be right behind me encouraging me to go after it, no matter how big or small the dream is.

Thank you for being proud of me.

Personally, I don’t give myself enough credit for my accomplishments and you have been there to remind me how proud you are of how much I have grown. And when I do make a decision that you are really proud of, you voice that to me.

Thank you for raising me into who I am today.

You have given me the foundation to build off of in adulthood. Though I have made plenty of mistakes, you have taught me to learn from my own and other people’s mistakes. With everything that you have taught me throughout my childhood, I am able to use now into adulthood and build off of it.

Thank you for trusting me.

I know that you have faith and trust in the decisions that I make and that means so much. You trust that I am making the decision that is right for me. But, you still give me your two-sense, even when I don’t want to hear it.

Though neither of us are perfect, I am grateful for all that you have done for me. And always remember that I am missing you and our family, always.