Genetically, we are a 50-50 split between our parents. Their genes literally make up who we are, and whether you like to admit it or not -- you are the perfect mixture of the two people you call Mom and Dad. Growing up, your parents were the ones there to make you every meal, tuck you in at night and make sure there were no monsters under the bed, buy you new shoes, drive you to every single sports practice, attend parent-teacher conferences -- all the basic, yet extremely important duties that every parent fulfills for their child.

Any disagreement was purely sparked from our immaturity and not being able to take no for an answer. And yet, as we all took our sweet time to grow up, with age came the realization that our parents are not just the ones who raised us, but surprise -- they are real people too, just like us. As self-absorbed teenagers and young adults, we tend to forget the fact that our parents were two people in love for many years, before we were even a thought in their heads.

Our parents have memories and experiences held only by the knowledge that makes up the people that they are. With age we come to realize everything we take for granted, everything that our parents provide for us. Whether it was coaching your sports team as a child, allowing you to have the most elaborate birthday parties, spontaneously buying you ice cream or your favorite cereal, or making pancakes on Sunday mornings -- our parents went above and beyond to ensure our happiness growing up.

And now, as college students, our parents' main role of a parental figure has been pretty much completed. They successfully raised functioning young adults who are beginning their own independent lives in college. At this stage in our own lives, we sometimes forget the two people who have been supporting us from day one. The ones who were there for us when we lost the championship game in high school, received a rejection letter from our top school, had our hearts broken for the first time, and whenever we fought with our best friends. No matter what the overly dramatic situation was at the time, our parents never failed to be there every step of the way. Our mothers and fathers have loved us tirelessly through every mistake, flaw, failed class, speeding ticket, busted house party, or missed curfew. Our parents have never, ever given up on us. And that is why we need to realize how fortunate we are. No one will ever love you as much as your parents do. No one will ever forgive and understand the way they do. No one will ever give up their own happiness, time, money, and sanity to ensure that you have the best life.

Sometimes we just need a little reminder to be grateful for these two amazing people in our lives. So call your mom and make her day. Reach out to your dad and ask him how work is. Make dinner for the family one night when you go home for break, and update them on your life and ask them about theirs. Tell them you love them. Tell them how thankful you are to have them as your parents. Make the two most important people in your life know you truly appreciate them.

Just take a moment to step back and realize how fortunate you are to have them.

I love you, Mom and Dad.