As my parents drop me off for a new semester of college, I basically have no choice except to get sappy, emotional, and nostalgic. Though I have thanked them face-to-face for many things that they’ve done for me, I doubt that I’ve said it enough, so here it goes.

Thank you for raising me, and teaching me to be me. Thank you for accepting who I am while continuously working to help make me into the best version of myself possible.

Thank you for your ongoing support, both emotionally and physically. I know that I always have you to count on when I need something or have an issue. I honestly would be totally lost and helpless without all of your help and guidance in my day-to-day life.

Thank you for using so much of your time, resources, and energy trying to create the best life for me that you could. I will probably never know just how hard you have worked, and the sacrifices you’ve had to make, to make this amazing life for my sister and me, but know that I appreciate all of it.

Thank you for dealing with me when I’m at my lowest points. You get to see my behind-the-scenes freak outs, anxiety attacks, yelling fits, and my worst attitudes. Thanks for putting up with me and helping me overcome those obstacles. Sometimes I don’t even want to deal with me, so thanks for doing the dirty work.

Thank you for giving all you had our family. I couldn’t possibly ask for more, and I would never need or want to.

Thank you for always encouraging me to follow my dreams. Sometimes I might think that you push me too far out of my comfort zone, but I know you’re always trying to help me do what is best for me. If I dream to do something, you never shoot me down but cheer me on and help me follow my heart and accomplish my goals.

Thank you for being some of my best friends. Not everyone is blessed enough to be able to say that about their parents.

Thank you for being some of the best role models in my life. So much of who I am today is because of your strong positive influences on my life.

And finally, thank you for making me feel the need to constantly update this list, because you are constantly making positive impacts on my life. I love you.