To the two most important people in my life:

My goodness, am I lucky to have you both.

I think I'm even luckier to say that I really do have you both — together, still just as in love as you were the day you said: "I do."

There are not many children in this world that can proudly say their parents are still happily married and in love, so for that, I am eternally grateful.

You both have sacrificed everything for me and if that doesn't express love, I don't know what does. Constantly going above and beyond with everything, I truly need you both to know how much I appreciate each and every bit of it.

There are not enough "thank-yous" in the world to show you how much I truly am thankful, but I guess this open letter will suffice.

Dad, you've bent over backward for me numerous amount of times, even when I have least deserved it. You've taught me what it's like to hold my own — to be independent, to be strong and to be self-willed. You've taught me to work hard in life and to never give up on any of the dreams that I have and that anything really is possible, if you're willing to work for it ("Just Do It"). You have shaped me into someone that wants nothing more than to be better each day the sun rises and that becoming successful is earned, not given. I cannot thank you enough for teaching me about the value of life and how every day is God's gift. You've taught me to be humble with everything I do because you are one of the most humble people I have ever met. You have given me everything and more, so mark my word, one day I will prove to you that it was all worth it. You've constantly put my own needs before yours and I am so blessed because of it. You've given me your all, and I promise that someday I will give it all right back. I know it's not easy watching me grow up into this young woman that you always were so afraid of, but I promise that I will always be your little girl — no matter what.

Mom, you've been there for me when no one else was. You're the first person I call when I have exciting news because I know you're one of the only few people who will actually sit there and listen. You always know what to say and how to say it to make me feel better, and I think that's why you're so good at being a mom. You are one of the most selfless people I know and your heart is so, so big — constantly showing kindness that can be seen from miles away. You put people before yourself, each and every day, and it is such a beautiful quality that not even you I think understands. You've taught me how to be optimistic with everything that comes at me in life and you find joy out of the smallest things, which I believe is truly amazing. You are constantly putting my own happiness before your own, which I believe is the biggest sacrifice in itself. You've taught me the importance of faith, the importance of love, and the importance of trust. And I know that I can always turn to you for comfort when I feel like giving up or when I begin to lose hope. You have sacrificed so much time into being my mother, between carpooling from school to cheer practice every day, to dropping everything you're doing just to spend the day with me. You've given me not only a mother's love, but you have given me a friend as well. I am more than blessed to say that I have a beautiful, independent mom in my life that I can only hope to be half of someday.

To both of you: thank you. Thank you for being the parents that you are and for showing me what it is like to be truly loved. I am so fortunate with this life that you have given me, and without either of you, none of it would have ever been possible. Thank you for sticking by my side through the bratty teenage years and now the (more) expensive college years. I used to think that having strict, caring parents was annoying — but now I look back and am so thankful that you both have been the way you have been with me. You make me a stronger individual with each day that passes, and there isn't a day that goes by that the sacrifices you have made for me have gone unnoticed. You've molded me into someone that I never dreamed of becoming, and although I still have a long way to go, I am so glad to know that you both will be by my side through each step of the way.

I love you both, more than you'll ever know. XOXO