Dear Mom and Dad,

I know this letter is really late, and that it’s something I should have probably told you years ago, but here it is now. At the beginning of my life you guys were my idols. Then, as I approached the lovely teen years, you became pretty annoying and all of a sudden, you didn’t seem as smart as you used to. Then, I went to college. I turned to both of you and needed your help again. I was your little girl and the real world was scary. I started thinking that maybe you weren’t so dumb after all. As I grew and became an adult, I gained a huge appreciation for everything you’ve done for me. It’s time to finally thank you.

Thank you for the little things.

There are so many things that you have done for me. Thank you for all the times we sat around the table doing homework or studying for tests, for teaching me how to sew and for showing me life skills such as how to tie my shoes and how to write a check. Thanks for going to the dentist when me even when I was 18 years old because you knew I was nervous. Let’s be honest, I wouldn’t know how to throw a football or how to cook if I didn’t have you guys teach me how to do it.

Thank you for loving me.

I think this one is pretty self-explanatory, but you still deserve a thank you. I wouldn’t know what love looked like if you hadn’t shown me. I also wouldn’t have recovered from some awful break-ups if I didn’t have your love to turn to.

Thank you for believing in me.

I know every parent tells their kid that they can be the president one day. You did the same. You always allowed for me to dream, and because of that I have been able to accomplish so many things. Thank you for convincing me not to give up on the things I care about. I wouldn’t be where I am without your confidence in me.

Thank you for always being there for me.

I’m sorry that you had to sit through so many concerts, sporting events (not to mention the awful weather), graduation ceremonies, class parties and school field trips. Thank you for being my personal chauffeur and taking me wherever I wanted to go. You taught me the significance of being reliable. I’ve learned how valuable being there for people is.

Thank you for making me feel important.

OK, I know that I’m just one person in a world full of them, but somehow you made me feel like I was the only one. You made me feel special and like I was important to the world. Thank you for allowing me to believe I was extraordinary.

Thank you for picking me up when I fell.

It happened a lot; I was always getting hurt. I fell off my bike, but you were there to give me a Band-Aid. I cried after I lost my game, but you were there to hug me. My best friend and I had a fight, and you were there to remind me why we were best friends. When my boyfriend broke up with me, you took me to buy new clothes. When life got really hard and I wanted to give up, you made me keep going.

I know that there are no words that will ever fully thank you for what you’ve done, but I hope that this reminds you that you’ve done a pretty good job. I’ve learned so much from the both of you and I hope that one day, I will be just as good as you taught me to be. I love you.

Sincerely,

Your Child