As the years pass and you grow older and wiser, you begin to understand and appreciate everything that your parent or parents have done for you to make you the person you are today. So Mom and Dad, this one's for you.

Thank you for dealing with my sass and changing personalities as I figured out who and what I wanted to become.

I know we've had petty arguments throughout the years, especially the teenage ones, and the constant mood swings weren't an easy thing to deal with, but you did a great job.

Thank you for encouraging my crazy ideas.

For all of those times when my arts and crafts ended up ruining the furniture and walls or that time when I accidentally kicked a soccer ball into your car while using it as a goal: I'm sorry. I appreciate that you never discouraged my creativity, all the while letting me know that it's not OK to dent your car or color on the walls.

Thank you for never judging me.

I know that throughout my 18 years of life, I've made some questionable decisions or received some not-so-great grades. You've never made me feel irresponsible for doing things that were the result of poor judgement on my part. You've always known the right words to say in order to help me learn my lesson and always put forth all that you could to help me solve my problems.

Thank you for always helping with schoolwork.

I'm sure those elementary school days were great when all you had to do was explain to me that 2+2=4. But as the years went on and I needed help editing papers, doing trigonometry and studying for the SATs, I could always count on one of you to help me.

Thank you for being there during my happy and sad times.

Whether it was celebrating with me in excitement over college acceptance letters or consoling me over the phone at one a.m. because I was homesick or stressed, you are always there to help me push through and make me feel better.

Thank you for encouraging me to challenge myself.

Sometimes in life it's easier to be behind the scenes. I will forever appreciate you pushing me to try out for school plays, sports teams, and to abandon my picky-eater status and try new foods (although chicken fingers or pasta will forever be my go-to restaurant food.)

Thank you for giving me all that you could.

I feel extremely fortunate to have such compassionate and giving parents who always give me their all. Whether it was your attention, love and hugs, clothes, food, shelter, and all the miscellaneous extra needs and wants in life, you did a great job. I can only hope and wish to be a parent as great as both of you when I'm older and have a family of my own.