Another holiday down, and two more to go until 2015 is officially over. As I repack my one suitcase prepared for my four-day visit home, I am thankful for my parents, realizing that I am truly blessed to have them in my life. Although I live on my own a majority of the year, because of college, and despite being almost 20 years old, I still feel like a child when I am around my parents, and I don't mean this on a maturity-based level. I mean this in the sense that they have not completely tossed me out into the real world to face adulthood, and I am so grateful for that. So from a college student, here's to you mom and dad.

Dear 'Rents,

It doesn't take Thanksgiving, a once-a-year celebration, for me to realize how grateful I am that the Stork delivered me to you two approximately 20 years ago. Not only do you guys know how to make me laugh/smile, teach me life lessons without breaking my heart, give me a balance of freedom and discipline when I come home for break, continue to fund my college lifestyle, and know how to cook amazing food, but you also love me unconditionally and remind me that it is OK to make mistakes.

Before coming home for Thanksgiving break, I was at school for 12 weeks. Maybe two and a half months does not sound all that terrible, but it has been somewhat of a rough quarter, and I missed being home and surrounded by family more than anything during those times. Coming home for the holidays reminded me why I pull the all-nighters, sometimes sacrifice my social life, and generally why I get out of bed every morning even when it is for an 8:30am class. Knowing that you two are proud, as well as my extended family, really gives me the extra encouragement that I know I will need for returning for one more week of classes and then one week of finals. In the end of it all, I know that I will be able to pack my bags, once again, and return home for an even longer break, with fall quarter officially behind me.

I want to thank you for your continuous support and reassurance that everything is going to be OK in the end because, believe me, it's stressful and hard to believe that all on my own. Thank you for accepting that I cannot call you every day this year because my number of responsibilities increased like crazy over the course of one year. Despite that, thank you for being there when I need you, even if it isn't always at the most convenient time. You let me go on and on about my week or my day long before I ask you how everything is going on the other side. At times, I feel selfish because I know that you both put my troubles before your own and I know that it isn't fair to you at all. Yet you don't seem to mind, and never bring it back up as a form of resentment.

Thank you for always putting on a strong front to avoid from adding to my stress. I wish I could help you all with your struggles as much as you help me with mine, and even though I can't, that doesn't stop you from constantly giving. I know that it is tough to have to listen to everything that is going on in your child's life, which you feel sympathy and empathy over, and still have so much going on in your own life that I couldn't even begin to understand. Nonetheless, I want to offer my ear to whenever you need someone to talk to, rant to, laugh with... the possibilities are endless. I want to ensure that our relationship is not just give and take, because I realize how much you all do for me and I'm not sure if my actions will ever measure up to it all, but I am definitely aiming for them to.

I could go on and on about the blessings, but I think I'll stop here and just say: Thank you. You don't do any of the above things just once a year, but all year around. So even though I enjoy Thanksgiving and all of the realizations that come with it, I want to thank you both for everything you for me 365 days of the year, as I am eternally grateful.

Love,

Your very thankful daughter