A Letter To My Parents

At this point in my life, I’m considered an adult. Yes, maybe sometimes I don’t completely act like it, but that’s part of life, right? As I’m growing up, I realize just how much you did for me. And, for that, I need to truly thank you – something I don’t think I’ve appropriately done to date.

Dad, thank you for telling me what I’m capable of. For giving me the support that I needed to build a dream to chase after. And for believing that I have the talent to reach my goals.
Mom, thank you for making me realize that I’m worth everything in this world. That I must be treated like a queen, and that I should never settle for less than what I deserve.

Dad, thank you for spending countless hours after you got home from work each night to do homework with me.
Mom, thank you for giving me a shoulder to cry on when boys broke my heart, and to let me know that my world wasn’t crashing down around me – as much as I believed it was at the time.

Dad, thank you for understanding when I take a leap of faith. And for supporting me in my journey even if it doesn’t seem logical at times. For recognizing that it’s what I need to do, and hearing me out.
Mom, thank you for your personality. For sharing your love of life, sense of humor, excitement for every experience, ability to befriend a stranger, and courage to look fear directly in the face until it backs down.

Dad, thank you for showing me what hard work looks like. For showing me that nothing comes easy, and that countless hours of blood, sweat and tears really does pay off.
Mom, thank you for showing me what a true battle looks like. For never giving up and for still being an active, involved, and dedicated mother to my brothers and me, even when you clearly didn’t have the energy to do so.

Dad, thank you for showing me how a man should treat a woman. For proving that chivalry isn’t dead, and giving me baseline expectations for the very least of what I should accept.
Mom, thank you for showing me how to fight for what I believe in. In life, love, and everything in between. For giving me the strength to stand up for myself and expect nothing less than the very best.

To both of you, Mom and Dad, thank you for showing me true love in its rarest form, what it feels like, and how it can extend beyond life’s obstacles and challenges. Without each of you, I’d be nowhere near the person I am – and the person I’m still working on becoming. There aren’t enough words in the world to express my appreciation, but I think this is a good start. I owe you one.

Sincerely,
Your Daughter