As people, our personalities are constantly shaped and molded by the people around us, the places we go, and the things we experience. Some of these people, places, and experiences have more significance in the shaping of our personalities than others. For me, and I'm sure many others, two people specifically have left the largest lasting impact on my life. In my short time (almost 20 years) on Earth, my parents have been the biggest contributing factor in sculpting the man I am today, and for this, I'd like to thank them.

Thank you for teaching me to respect others, especially my elders and authority figures.

Thank you for showing me right from wrong, and instilling a strong set of morals that will guide me through the rest of my life.

Thank you for being the perfect amount of strict. I know I didn't always agree with your rules, but I'm glad I wasn't allowed to be a wild-child who knew no boundaries.

Thank you for letting me make my own mistakes, standing with me through them (even though there have been many), and helping me learn from them.

Thank you for accepting me for who I am, and allowing me to be different, even when others told me not to be.

Thank you for expressing your opinions, but allowing me to make and hold my own beliefs.

Thank you for always being there for me. Whether I'm sick to my stomach from stress, I had a fight with a friend, or I just had a bad day, you've never failed to calm me down and make me feel better.

Thank you for helping with school work (yes, even you Dad). There were a few late nights, from vocab quizzes, anatomy tests, to procrastinated group projects, but I wouldn't have survived my classes without you.

Thank you for making me reach for the stars and encouraging me to always achieve more.

Thank you for telling me it's okay to fail, but only if I tried my absolute best.

And lastly, thank you for dealing with me in general and not shipping me off to military school (even though it was threatened a few times). I know I wasn't the easiest child to live with and provide for, especially through my teen years. Even though I ate enough food to feed a small whale, and had endless and exhausting arguments about your "stupid rules," you still love and dealt with me.

Although I'm not perfect, and will never be, it's safe to say that I turned out all-right. And for that, I thank you.