I'm thankful for so many great things in my life, but the main thing I'm thankful for is my amazing parents. I couldn't have asked for such a relatable, cool Mom, or for the funniest, supporting Dad. There's a million and one things I want to say to you guys. I know I probably don't tell you both enough how much you really mean to me and how much I truly do appreciate you both. Everything I have been able to accomplish so far is solely because of my parents and I couldn’t have done it without you guys. So thank you both for not wanting anything but the best for me.

I would like to begin with you, Dad! I would just like to start off by telling you that I wouldn’t want for anyone else to be the one I call Dad. You do the best job you possibly can for me and our family; that I appreciate more than the world. You choose us over sleep almost everyday just to keep this family afloat, and I will not let that go unnoticed. I realize it everyday, especially when you wake up grumpy and yell about that single spoon in the sink, and how the dog hasn't been taken out. Yet, for someone who stays up all day and all night, you deserve to be grumpy at times! My favorite times with you are just the little bonding moments we get with each other, just you and me. One of my favorite moments was when you would pick me up from school and almost everyday we would go to 7/11 and each get a hotdog, with our favorite drink; you would get a Mountain Dew while I on the other hand would get an Arizona Tea. My other favorite moments with you were when we would travel together! Usually going to Florida for the holidays and also that one time when we drove down to the beach and got dinner together. Those are definitely some of my favorite times with you, and I wouldn’t want to cherish or create them with anyone else! Dad, you have taken such great care of me, been over-protective, yet loving and gentle throughout my whole life. You mean the absolute world to me and I don’t tell you this enough. I love you so much, Dad, thank you for being there for me and being so strong!

Now where to begin, Mom. You have always put me before you, and I notice it in everything you do for me. Whenever we go out you never look at something for yourself, it’s always “Hey, Cait, you would look cute in this!” I appreciate that you are always trying to help other people, such as the ones close to you that need it most. You are the most giving person I have ever met and it has always rubbed off on me! I love giving gifts more than I do receiving them, and I thank you for showing me that, even if it might have been indirectly. You have taught me so much. You have taught me to be open-minded, different, kind to all, strong, independent, and so much more to make me the person I am today. Having a mom like you, who all my friends love and know, come to for advice and hang out with because you are the coolest mom on the planet is one that I couldn’t think to live without. We have so much in common and you know me better than anyone else, especially my taste in memes. My favorite things to do with you are bonding over the irritating times of hair dying, going on night drives to get lost, driving to new places only for the sole purpose of being bored, and so much more! You are not just my Mom, but also my favorite person, best friend, and you make me laugh the hardest I possibly can everyday. I would just like to say thank you so much for believing in me every single day, and for putting up with a little version of you that is just a little different and more complicated. I love you to the moon and back, Mom!

To everyone reading this, remember to be thankful and remind your loved ones that you love and appreciate them. Even if you think they know, it is always a nice reminder to keep someone’s spirits high knowing that someone appreciates them, noticing how hard they work and what they do for you.