While parents deserve a lot of thanks for raising us and do countless things to help us daily, here are just 9 things to thank them for if you're anything like me.

1. Thank you for supporting me
   Thank you for supporting me no matter what I achieve big or small. You always make even the smallest things I do feel like they are great accomplishments. You are my #1 fans and it helps me so much to know that I have you guys as a support system to fall back on no matter what.
2. Thank you for taking my phone calls
   I do not sleep. With that being said, I have random breakdowns when I am up at 2 a.m. trying to do homework while contemplating how important that college degree really is in the long run. During these breakdowns I call my parents. Through their incredibly tired voices, my mom offers words of encouragement and my dad makes me laugh while they ensure me that I can do this and get through this degree.
3. Thank you for home-cooked food
   While I was living at home, I was an incredibly picky eater. Now, I wish I could go back and slap that picky eater and tell her to saver every bite of that home-cooked food. It took me about three days in college to really understand the value of the food my mother made. Now when I go back I scream “nourishment” as I run towards the fridge. I will now be forever grateful for my mother’s cooking.
4. Thank you for answering my questions on how to adult
   I have no idea what I am doing 90% of the time as a freshman in college. Thank you for answering questions about how to cook, how to set up bank accounts, and for helping me fill out paper work. While I’m still a little hazy on a lot of stuff in the adult world, I am so thankful I have you guys to fall back on to help me figure out the ins and outs.
5. Thank you for letting me FaceTime my dog
   I miss my dog like crazy while I am away. Thank you parents for taking my FaceTime calls just so I can see my dog. I know this probably seems like a waste of your time, but it brings a huge smile to my puppy loving face.
6. Thank you for understanding that sometimes I can’t come home or am busy
   There are times when I can’t come home for important events or just when the whole family is coming over (cute baby niece included), and there are times I can't take calls due to my hectic schedule. Missing out has been so hard, but you understanding has helped me so much.
7. Thank you for treating my friends like one of your own
   Bringing home the roommate or boyfriend for dinner? No problem. You always seem to have a place at the table for them and make them feel right at home. Your big hearts never cease to amaze me.
   
8. Thank you for instilling in me the values and drive that I have
   From teaching me what a true work ethic is to how to walk with Christ, I will never forget what you have taught me. While learning these lessons were sometimes rough, in the end I could never express how much the lessons have paid off and helped.
9. Thank you for giving me this opportunity
   Besides the sheer fact that you are paying for my education, thank you for pushing me to go to college and for believing that I can accomplish my dreams. You guys are the reason I am here and doing what I do. I will forever be grateful.