Dear Mama and Daddy,
To the ones who love me most and whom I love more than the world.
This week you travelled hundreds of miles from home to move your daughter into college in a different state. The day that you always knew would come finally arrived and no amount of preparation could make saying goodbye any easier. For my entire life, you prepared me for this moment and I cannot express how grateful I am for your support in my decision.
I could go on and on, but instead I choose to just say thank you.
Thank you for investing in my future and sending me to the university of my dreams.
Thank you for trusting your little girl to put in to practice all you have instilled in me since childhood.
Thank you for taking a leap of faith with me onto a campus I hardly knew and among people I did not know.
Thank you for instilling within me a desire to pursue something greater than myself.
For eighteen years, you poured your everything into me to equip me with all I need for life. You taught me virtually everything I know and you never cease to make me feel loved and cherished. Not every girl has the privilege of being best friends with her parents, but I do. And for that I am so grateful. States may separate us and miles might wedge a physical gap between us, but you remain my greatest source of inspiration every single day, no matter the distance.
A song from middle school choir plays in my mind, “set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.” ("Homeward Bound," Peter Hollens). No matter where life takes me, know always that I will come home to you. You are the ones, after all, who equip me to dream and encourage me to soar.
Not only did you give me roots, but you gave me wings.
I will forever thank you for teaching me to fly.
I love you more,