Dear Mom and Dad,

In less than a month, I will be the first of your four kiddos to leave the nest and head to college. Although I will be seven hundred and ninety-three miles away, I want you to know that I am still packing up and taking so much of the both of you with me.

Thank you, Mom, for my loud voice, which I will use to ask questions in the lectures full of hundreds of other students.

Thank you, Dad, for my ability to meet new people, which will help me make at least a few friends during my time spent on my own at school.

Thank you, Mom, for my infectious -- and once again, loud -- laugh, which will distract me when I am stressed.

Thank you, Dad, for my writing ability, which will get me the As I need on my papers.

Thank you, Mom for my motherly instincts, which I will use to take care of my friends and of myself.

Thank you, Dad, for my protective instincts, which I will use to protect myself while living on my own.

Thank you, Mom for my obsessive organization and cleaning skills, which will keep my dorm (and my life) from becoming a mess.

Thank you for the hardworking nature I have learned from the two of you, which I will use to maintain good grades and get me into a medical school close to our family.

Thank you for the phone you paid for, which I will use to call, text and Facetime you. You can hold me to that.

Thank you for teaching me so many great lessons. As the daughter of a nurse, I have learned to care for everyone in my life. As the daughter of a police officer, I have learned to see both the good and bad in people, and protect those around me. Growing up as your daughter has taught me to work hard for what I want and has inspired me to become a doctor.

And last, but not least, thank you for paying my tuition with your own hard-earned money. I owe everything that I am to you two. Every bit of my success will always attest to the amazing parents in my life. I love you both to the moon and back, and I can’t thank you enough for all you have given me.

With love,
Your first-born.