In high school, I didn't really notice how important the little things were that my parents did for me and still do for me. When I lived in their house it just seemed normal for my parents to clean and cook for me but the other stuff that they did I never really noticed or appreciated because I never realized how important that stuff was.

Now that I am in college, I have to live on my own without my parents there to help me when I need it. In college I have to do my own laundry and clean up after myself. A major thing that I struggle with at college is motivating myself to get up for my morning classes. I have to pay for everything on my own. I have to make my own appointments and meetings. I have to make smart decisions on going to bed early. One thing that I tend to forget a lot while I am at college is to eat three meals a day. When I am secluded in my room working on homework or sleeping, I don't even think about food. A habit that I have had to get into is writing down important meetings or upcoming events. In high school my parents would normally write it down for me and then remind me when it got closer.

Some other little things that my parents would do for me when I was living at home would be driving me to school and picking me up. They would give me a money when I needed it. When I didn't feel well, they would take care of me. They sacrificed so much of their time and life for me to be happy and healthy. One thing that I really miss in college is my mom and I having our nightly girl talks in my room. We still talk on the phone every night but it is not the same as getting to sit and hug my mom whenever I need her.

In high school, I took my parents' hugs for granted and now that I am in college, all I want at night and whenever I am stressed or sad is a hug from my mom and dad. After finally realizing what they have done for me for the past nineteen years, I will never take anything they do for me for granted. College has taught me to never take my parents for granted again. Even now that I am not living at home, they still do so much for me.

My mom sends long messages every night before I go to bed and in high school when she would do that I wouldn't get as emotional as I do now. She does as much for me now as she did when I was in high school. My parents are the most loving people that I have ever known and yes, that probably is biased because they are my parents, but no matter how many times I took their love and care or granted, they still love me and care for me.

For anyone reading this that is in middle school, high school, or even college: do not take your parents for granted. They do so much for you that you may not even notice. One day when you don't live at home you will notice all the little stuff that they did that now you need to do for yourself. When you grow up and they are gone, you will regret not telling your parents that you appreciate everything that they ever did for you.

I am so lucky to have the parents that I do. Everything that they do is for me and my sister. My parents are my role models and I hope that one day I can be half the woman that my mom is and that I can marry a man that is half of what my father is. Parents go many days without being told that they are appreciated. It's never too late to show them or tell them that they are appreciated.