I may by 20 years old, but I'm a homebody who is not afraid to admit it. Ever since I was little, the best place I have been able to find my peace is at home with my family. Don't get me wrong, I loved slumber parties with my friends and being at my friends house, but coming home at the end of the day or after a weekend away with a friends' family was a feeling I cherished as a child.

One of the number one things I will always remember about my childhood and always be thankful for, is that my Mom and Dad had this one specific rule set for every Saturday night. The rule was that I could do anything I wanted to with my friends all day on Saturday, but I had to be home every Saturday night ( of course with the exception of vacations and camps etc). The reason they set this rule was because they wanted me in church every Sunday morning, and staying at home on Saturday nights ensured that I would be. That may sound a bit crazy, and you might say "Well, what if your friends family went to church, why couldn't you go with them?" and that is a valid point and in some cases, I was allowed to do just that. I am eternally grateful for my parents who knew that raising me to love and have a relationship with the Lord was crucial.

My parents have always been so much fun, and I do not mean that lightly. If you know me, and you've been around my family, you know first hand that there is nothing short of a good time always had with them. They put their trust in the hands of the Mighty One and they give him control and they just live life to the fullest.

My mom, oh my mom, she is my absolute best friend ( you are too Daddy, but you know how us girls gotta stick together). My mom has always been what I like to call my "bulldog", because in times when I can't get my head above water and fight for myself, she fights for me and for that I will never be able to repay her! My dad is the type of person that you always want to be around, even when you're mad at him, because he never has a bad attitude. My dad has been through so much in his life, as well as my mom, and they both still have such a joy about them, and they truly show me what compassion is meant to look like.

I will NEVER be able to repay my parents for all the tough love, compassion, hugs, kisses, honesty, advice, and so much more that they have given me over the 20 years I have been blessed to be their child. But, I can start by giving credit where credit is due and make sure they know that I thank the good Lord for them DAILY, and I cherish them more than they could imagine! So here is to you mom and dad: YOU ROCK AND I LOVE YOU!

While writing this article I consider myself extremely blessed because I know not everyone has a family to come home to, and love them, and to those people, my heart goes out.

Psalm 68:5 says this "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."