Dear Mom and Dad,

Not a day goes by where I don't miss you and home. But I'm a big girl now, I'm trying this whole independent, womanhood thing. Some days, when I feel like I'm failing, I tend to pick up my phone to call you. Take the other day for example when I was sobbing on the phone, you both took at least twenty minutes calming me down. Which truly meant a lot.

There are things that I don't tell you enough that I want to take the time to write out so it can be in the world for forever (or at least while internet is around... Which could be forever.)

1. I'm sorry for 15-year-old me.

Every day that I'm not home, I think back to the days when I slammed my bedroom door from the two hour arguments we've had and how we yelled so loud the house shook. All the times I would mumble under my breath how "I hated you." It's all such a regret. But I guess that's what every fifteen-year-old drama queen experiences. And it isn't until we move away that we regret all those stupid arguments the most.

2. I miss you every day.

I think the hardest thing about college is once you actually leave this house, you think you can do this whole independent thing but once something big happens (happy or sad) your dying to tell your parents. When something goes my way for once, a hug from my mom is the first thing I want. But she's hours away. And a phone call has to do.

3. I love you.

Man, I may say this a lot but sometimes it feels like the amount of times I say it, it still isn't enough. And I say it to you guys at least three times away. The funny part is, I didn't know how much I loved and appreciated you guys until I was two hours away.

4. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

One thing I really don't say enough. The top two people who send me motivational texts every now and then saying just how proud they are. I don't think you two understand how much those messages mean to me. Those random messages where you just even say "Have a great day, I'm thinking of you." It's the small things that count and it's the small things that really can bring the biggest smiles to our faces. So thank you, something I feel like you and parents all over the place don't hear enough. Thank you for hearing my long phone calls about how it rained this morning and how I dealt with it. Thank you for the goodnight and good morning messages. Thank you for liking my pictures. Thank you for bragging about me to your friends (that's a real confidence booster).

I know it's cliche to write an article about your parents, but let's be honest. You two have played such an important role in my life and you continue to inspire me every single day to be a better, wiser, and smarter person. From taking me to soccer practices (for the short time that I played) to surprising me on campus from how homesick I was. You two have and always will be my biggest supports and those are just some things I feel you and other parents don't hear enough.

I love you both and can't wait to visit home next and hug you.