Dear Mom and Dad,

As I leave for college this week, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the incredible amount of things you have done for me. To begin, thank you for always being tough on me. I would not be the person I am today or be where I am without you and your guidance. You have led me down the right path. Thinking back to the times I wanted to quit things, you kept me going, teaching me not to be the person to give up. My determination and hard work ethic has come from you, and I have to thank you for that.

Thank you for showing up to every possible sports event, including soccer, basketball, and to every single softball game, whether it be a high school game, a freezing fall tournament, or 9 games a weekend in the scorching summer heat. You have sat through every game without complaints, and always cheered me on (especially with big posters on senior night). I cannot think of a game that neither of you were at, and this is a very unique thing for a kid to have. The amount of support and dedication you have given me is unbelievable.

Aside from sports, you have helped me survive the past 12 years of school. Whether it was staying up the night before to help me with a book report, or helping me cram for my economics test, you were always there to help. I can recall countless trips to Target at the last possible minute for a project that was due the next day and you put aside your frustration to help me.

Needless to say you have dealt with all of my attitude. You forced me to get my first job, which turned out to be one of the best high school experiences I had, and helped me get through one of the most stressful times in my life, college applications. We spent hours sitting in front of the computer trying to figure out what we needed to do, but you never gave up.

Most of the time, you knew better than me, and being the brat I was, I felt the need to let you know that afterwards. I know you remember the countless number of times I have said “You were right”, just to get a rise out of you. You have both been my role models, my entire life I have looked up to you, and you have set the best possible example. You have taught me so many lessons, how to respect people, how to work hard, and how to learn from and accept your mistakes.

Certain memories stick in my head when I think of each of you. Dad, taking me out in the middle of a snowstorm to teach me how to drive, stopping for ice cream on the way home from an errand, or taking me and Jordan for picnics at the playground. Mom, making all my favorite meals before I left for college, going prom dress shopping with me, and bringing me my gym bag to school when I forgot it even though you told me 6 times otherwise, the night before. You have both done amazing things for me that I cannot even begin to thank you for, and I hope you know how much it all means to me.

I love you both, and thank you for always being there to help and support me.

Love,

Kayleigh