Dear Mom and Dad,

I know I don't always get the chance to tell you, but you guys are truly my best friends and I am so lucky to share the relationship we share. I can come to you guys for any- and everything. You are there at 2 p.m. to share a laugh with me and at 2 a.m. when I need a shoulder to cry on and every minute in between. Thanks for being the cool parents and doing everything with me from brunches to shopping trips to concerts and some fun nights out. Any time spent with you two is always a great time filled with memories.

People sometimes think it's weird that I am best friends with my parents and don't understand why. My friends often struggle to understand why we have such a close relationship, and why I, at 20 years old, would rather spend the night with my parents than going out to a ~crazy~ house party. But I wish I could tell them it wasn't always like this, we weren't always best friends.

I think back to those awful high school years when I tried my hardest to be the rebellious, badass teenager that I was convinced I was. High school consisted of four long years of arguments, me going against just about everything you said and days of you guys seeing me for no more than an hour because I would lock myself away in my room. I thought you guys were trying to do everything to make sure I lived a boring life and had no fun, which lead to us having a not so awesome relationship.

Looking back on it, I wish I could take back every time I said, "Once I leave for college you'll never hear from me again," because the truth is I would be lost in life without the both of you. When I left for college I realized that all you guys did for me was with my best interest in heart. You guys wanted nothing more than to see me succeed and I didn't understand that until I was on my own and had no one to make sure I was on the right path. I began to realize more and more every day how much I took your presence for granted and how much I really needed you two in my life.

I am so happy I grew out of that stubborn phase of my life and grew up so that I could start appreciating everything you two do for me (and realizing how cool you two really are). I don't think I could ever really put it into words how much I value you guys and the relationship we have together. You're my parents, best friends and biggest supporters all in one. Thank you for never giving up on me even though I sure as hell didn't make it easy for you guys.

Love always,

Your little girl