To my parents,

You guys are the biggest fighters I know. You never let anything bring you down and when nothing seems to be going your way, you keep on striving to work hard and do your best. Rainy days have befallen you plenty of times, but you never let them weigh you down. I’m hoping and praying that some of the fighter spirit that is within you has seeped down into me genetically. Every day that I am away from home, I realize that I am so lucky to have you in my life.

I feel blessed to have grown up in such a loving home. We do not always see eye to eye on every issue, but I am grateful for always having been given the opportunity to express my point of view. I know that I can always talk openly about anything that is on my mind with you and you will listen and offer good advice, which can sometimes turn into drawn-out lectures, but I love and miss those too. Some of my best memories include sitting on the kitchen countertop with you both and discussing everything under the sun from politics to how my day went and a pre-SAT relaxing ritual that involved pizza, Netflix, and naps. I’m endlessly fortunate that when I look back at my time growing up, I have memories of simple daily activities that you managed to bring love into. You wrote me good luck notes in my lunchbox and to this day, you never fail to wish me good morning and good night even though I am in college. Now, you willingly make the drive up to see me or bring me home if you know that will make me smile. You have sacrificed work and your own time to relax for me numerous time because all that you care about is my happiness.

The best advice that you have given to me is, “Wherever you go, make us proud.” You’ve never put any pressure on me to be rich or famous. All that matters to you is that I grow up to be a good person. All I can hope for is that I will continue to make you both proud wherever I may end up.

Love,