Dear Mom and Dad,

Where do I even start? My whole life you two have been people that have supported me no matter what. I have felt a closeness to you two that I haven't felt with anyone else in my whole entire life. When I tell other people that you guys are my best friends, a lot of people don't understand. They're used to having rocky relationships with their parents where they have to sneak around and avoid getting into trouble. For me, that's never been the case. I have always felt that I can be honest with you both. I tell you both pretty much everything going on in my life and I can share anything without fear of judgment, blame, or anger. That's something a lot of people can't say about their own parents so I am extremely grateful that I am able to share that bond with you.

When I say you guys are my best friends, you really are. There's nothing in the world I don't trust you with. I tell you about my day, my problems, my drama and somehow you both find the grace in your heart to listen to it all and give me advice. Some of the best memories I have are when I get to spend one on one time with you guys. I love laughing with you and making memories that we will never forget. Although we tease and poke fun at each other, I know that deep down it all comes from a sense of love.

I am who I am because of you guys. I have shaped my morals around what you have taught me and I am so glad. I'm sorry for all the times I used to whine as a child for the things I didn't understand because now as I have gotten older I have finally been able to understand why you did the things you did for me. I will always be eternally grateful for everything you have done to make me the person that I am today, even though I definitely do not say it enough. Please know that I am always forever grateful for both of you.

Leaving for college was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do and not because I was scared of classes, meeting new people, figuring out how to live on my own, or anything similar to that. It was so hard because I knew for the first time in my life I was going to have to be far away from you. For once in my life, I wouldn't be able to walk upstairs and sit on your bed and rant when I had a problem. I wouldn't be able to come home from school and give you a hug when I had a hard day at school. I wouldn't be able to come in and give you both a hug goodnight before venturing off to my own bed. I wouldn't get to see my best friends every day like I had been able to the last 18 years of my life.

Even though I am only an hour and a half away, I still miss you guys like crazy. While college is fun and I enjoy every minute of it, there's always a moment in my day when I say to myself "I can't wait to call mom and dad and tell them about this". I miss so very much being able to come up and sit on your guys' bed and talk to you for hours on end but I am so grateful that we live so close and that I get to see you so often. I'm even more grateful that even when I'm not with you I get to call you guys and talk to you on the phone.

As Christmas rolls around for once in my life I no longer find myself anticipating Christmas break because of the gifts, because of the music, because of the decorations. For the first time in my life, I'm excited for Christmas break because I get to come home and spend time with you.

Thank you for being the best parents in the world. I don't know what I would do without you.

Love,

Your other best friend