For as long as I can remember, I have always had a pretty impeccable support system. Coming from a huge family, I guess that shouldn’t really be all that surprising, but being in college has made me realize that I am incredibly blessed. I owe so much, to so many people. On the top of this huge list of people, there are two people at the top who I don’t think I could ever thank enough.

This one is for you: My parents, my best friends, my role models, my fan club, my number one supporters.

Dear Parents,

I don’t know where to begin because I really don’t think I could even begin to tell you how much you have influenced my life. I am so thankful for the two of you, for the way you raised me, and for the roof you put over my head, but overall for the person you molded me into.

Thank you for telling me no.

I didn’t need to go to that movie so late and drive an hour back home. I didn’t need to go to that baseball game two hours away to “watch” my high school baseball team play (aka see some guy). I didn’t think you understood me, but now I know that you did understand. You understood all too well. You knew what was going through my mind, and you were protecting me from myself.

Thank you for punishing me.

I deserved having my phone taken away. I deserved being sent to my room. I might have yelled, cried, and been so angry with you at the moment, but looking back, I know you were just giving me time and a reason to think about the decisions I was making.

Thank you for laughing at me.

I tripped over my own feet. I fell in the hallway at school. I made mistakes that were pretty laughable. You were the people I could come home to and tell these laughable mistakes to and know that you would laugh not only at me but laugh with me. You showed me that it’s OK to laugh at myself and to learn from the mistakes I make.

Thank you for teaching me.

You taught me how to drive. You taught me how to manage money. You taught me how to do everything. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know how to do so many day to day activities and necessities. I also wouldn’t know how to separate the “fake” friendships from the “real” ones or how to pull myself up by my bootstraps and keep pushing forward. You taught me so much about life, even when you didn’t know you were doing it.

Thank you for being my strength.

When everyone else turned their backs on me, I could always count on you to be there. When my life fell apart, when I hit rock bottom, you were there. You picked me up, dusted me off, and never failed to give me the encouragement and strength to carry on.

Thank you for pushing me.

I used to be so upset with you when my grades didn’t meet your expectations. I thought I was doing my best, but in reality I was just doing enough to get by. You pushed me in my education, in pursuit of my dreams, and you continue to push me towards the goals I have set for my life on a daily basis.

Thank you for trusting me.

You never gave me a curfew because you trusted me to let you know where I was and what I was doing. You gave me the responsibility of handling a job and school, and you trusted me to make it work. Because you trusted me, I have more responsibility and am more mature than half the people my age.

Thank you for loving me.

Celine Dion had it right when it comes to her song “Because You Loved Me” because that is exactly what I would write about you. In every aspect of life, I wouldn’t be the person I am if I hadn’t had you to guide me, to teach me, and to love me.

Most of all, thank you for supporting me.

You never give up on me. You are famous for telling me to get it together and do what I have to do. You encourage me to follow my dreams, to take risks, and you support my decisions when you know that it’s something that I want more than anything.

Thank you for everything. I see my friends crying over their parents yelling at them, even now in college, and I realize how blessed I am that you are more than my parents—you’re also my best friends.

I love you to the moon and back.

Courtney