I would like to begin by saying, "Thank you, for pretty much everything. Thank you for trusting me and not your peers. Thank you for staying by my side, no matter how hard it was sometimes. Thank you for talking to me, to get to the bottom of something, instead of assuming you knew the whole story." The people I'm thanking are my family for supporting me during college.

They haven't left my side despite everyone telling them I need more space, to let me do my own thing. I'm grown, move on, they say. They evaluated, listened and realized I really wanted them around. I thank them for driving to and from my college town, just so I'll get a chance to see them. No matter how much homework I have or if a report is due, they'll still come, even if they don't get to spend that much time with me, because they know that it gives me the strength to go on. College is hard and I don't know if I could do it without them and the constant support that they give me. Support that includes a daily phone call checking to make sure everything is alright. A phone call that may just be a trivial how are you or the phone call that cheers you up when you are down. I miss them all of the time, but they are constantly doing something for me to show me that they miss me too. I was worried that college might cause me to lose my close relationship with my family, but it's gotten even stronger. They all sacrifice so much of their time, just to come and see me. They have decided to stay by me even through the chorus of people telling them that I "need space." They are the people who I can trust the most. The ones that will be honest and forthright with me. An unconditional love that I can count on.

Last semester saw me laid low by a cracked tooth and the need for professional dental care. The day I survived a root canal, Mom drove over and stayed with me, just to make sure that I was okay. The bonds that I already had with them have been strengthened in the crucible of college. They've answered the late night calls and listened to me worry about tests. They've sat through the emotional rollercoaster that finals week can be. They've even worked overtime so that they could take off of work to cook meals for finals week, just to make it easier for me, and I can't thank them enough for that. Mom, Dad, Nanny and Papa are the best family anyone, especially a college student, could ask for. The love and support that they have given me, is what has given me the strength to keep pushing on through school. I see why so many people call it quits midway through college.

Did I mention that college is hard?

You need a support network to help you stay focused. My family helps give me the focus to get through the tough times. Mom will talk with me for hours, no matter how much work she has, if she thinks she can help me in some way, and that's what love is. My family has been there for me more times than I could have ever asked for, and they deserve a thank you for that. My fear was that college would form a gap between my family and I but instead, I should be thanking college for giving me the best relationship any son has ever had with the people who love him. Thank you.