My dearest family,
There’s a lot of ways you could describe us: dysfunctional, busy, a little off-kilter, but my favorite word to describe my family is irreplaceable. You are my rock and my safe haven, and I couldn’t imagine life, past, present and future, without you. Being a college student is hard sometimes, and I probably don’t spend as much time with you as you or I would like to, but never forget that you are always on my mind and in my heart.
To my little sister: Thank you for your love, even when I can’t always see it. You may not be as mushy-gushy as I am, but I know that you love me, and the times that I spend with you are times that I never forget. As much as I abhor your taste in music sometimes, driving you around town while you hunt for Pokemon is our unique but special way to bond. Thank you for teaching me to accept myself for who I am and encouraging me to be your mentor and friend. You make me want to help others and be a guiding light for other people still discovering themselves, and I can only hope that I can be that for you too. We might have polar opposite personalities and look nothing alike, but I could never want a different little sister. I love you, kid.
To my dad: Thank you for being my cheerleader. I love waking up and seeing that you texted me to have a great day, and you don’t know how much that means to me. My mood instantly improves when I know you’ve been thinking about me, and I want you to know that I’ve been thinking about you too. You do so much for our family, and all my life, I’ve strived to have a servant heart like yours. Bringing me to Sunday school and constantly instilling lessons to work hard and persevere in the face of danger is something that has shaped me as a person, and I have you to thank. I can’t wait until we get to go on a daddy-daughter date and bond over pancakes again! I love you, dad.
To my mom: Thank you for being my everything; my mentor, my confidante, my support system, and my best friend. You’ve been with me through everything from the time I put on my first pair of ballet slippers to when I packed up my room for my first semester of college. You’ve consoled me through breakups, cheered with me in victories, laughed with me at our ESP(N), and guided me to be the best woman that I can be. You are my role model and my biggest inspiration, and my life is forever changed with you in it. Our life chats over Mexican food are my favorite way of bonding with you, and I love when we watch our favorite TV shows with the cats and laugh about politics. I wouldn’t change who I have become because of you, and I could never see my life the same without you as my mom. I love you so much, mom.
Family is one of my main priorities, though I may have multiple “families” up at school. I know that I can always run back to my family if I am in need, and I am so lucky to be able to have that luxury. You are some of the most accepting and unconditionally loving people I have ever known, and you are the people who have made me who I am. Our family dynamic wouldn’t be the same without one of us in it, and I celebrate the moments that we have where we can be together as a complete unit. I can’t wait until I see you again, but until then, send me pictures of you guys the cats! I’ll be thinking of you. I love you all so much.
Love Always,
Daughter #1
