It seems as if everything has completely changed within the last year or so. I have joined many organizations where I have acquired leadership positions, got two new jobs, and I have finally chosen to leave the warm, humble abode of my parents this past summer.

Mostly everything has just been a blur but one thing has remained constant: I am extremely grateful for the people in my life. God has blessed me with more than I could have ever imagined. My friends, my co-workers, my boyfriend, my new roommates, and my little brothers have all helped me to get to where I am today. They all help me keep my head above water and give me hope that all my dreams really can come true.

I want to say a special thank you for the people who somehow lived with me for over 20 years.

I know I don't tell you this enough, but mom, dad? I love you two. You are two of the strongest, hard-working people I have ever met. Your guys' love and passion for every little thing you do in life shines through constantly. Your faith in the Lord has always been unshaken no matter what life has thrown at you. I don't think you understand how much your love has affected me as I have grown into the young lady I am today. So I am here to tell you I love you for the way you have raised me.

Since I am the oldest child in the family, I used to think that your punishments were harsh (and unnecessary), but as I've grown older I have realized those punishments were based on what you thought was right (and in the end, most of the punishments were actually totally necessary because I know I was sassy kid).

Each punishment taught me humility. Sometimes I can still taste the soap in my mouth, other times I remember when all of my toys got taken away and I was left with staring at my bedroom wall for hours. There were many times I didn't leave the dining room table because I didn't want to finish my dinner, I just wanted my ice cream bedtime snack. There was a lot of crying and a lot of yelling and throwing temper tantrums, but you somehow handled my "terrible twos" all the way up to today (and most likely into the future). For that, I thank you.

I learned with each punishment that in order to make ends meet (aka get my ice cream), I needed to own up to what I had done. Most of the time, this was hardest thing to do because I had to learn to swallow my pride and do what needed to be done. This life lesson that you two have taught me is probably the most important. For that, I thank you.

Growing up as the oldest child wasn't and isn't easy by any means. You two had to teach me to be a good example for my two younger brothers; even though I fail at being a decent older sister probably 95 percent of the time, you taught me that being a leader is a task that never ends. There is always someone watching what I'm doing, whether I know the people or not. You guys taught me that doing the right thing never goes out of style and helping people whenever possible is the most rewarding thing in the world. For that, I thank you.

Mom, Dad, you two have taught me more than you know. I wouldn't be the young adult I am today without you. You instilled within me a drive to reach my full potential. This shows in my grades that I have attained throughout college. It also shows within the groups I am apart of and the volunteering activities I partake in. I am lucky to have been raised by you. You may think that there could of been other ways to make me better prepared for what the world has to throw at me, but I'm here to tell you that you have done everything perfectly. You took a short-tempered, dramatic daughter and raised her to work for God and every other human being around her. For that, I thank you.

Again, I want to say thank you for everyone who has come into my life. I hope you guys know that you are all truly wonderful and amazing, and I hope that one day I can repay you all for everything that you have done for me. For that I thank you.