"God gave me 86,400 seconds today, and now I'm taking a few to say 'Thank You.'"
- Breanna-Lynn Montalvo

Dear Mom and Dad,

I’m currently in the media room watching the Grammys with you and I am in awe with how much I love you both. If I could be anywhere in the world right now, I would be right here, spending quality time with the both of you. Although I'm writing y'all this letter, I know that any combination of words in this world could never explain just how much you both mean to me. I have been so incredibly blessed, privileged, and honored, for 21 years, to call you my parents.

Mom, thank you for being my “super mom”. Thank you for always being both parents when dad was overseas. Thank you for always running around like crazy to make things happen, and thank you for always loving me even when I would complain, cry, or act immature. Thank you for showing me what a true Proverbs 31 woman is like. You are the strongest woman I have ever known. You have struggled through so much in your life. Most people can look at you and see a beautiful smile and a great personality, but I see so much more. Your heart is made of gold. Your bright personality is contagious. And, you create a lasting impression on everyone you meet. I know that while you were growing up, things weren’t always easy for you. However, you are living proof that with perseverance and a great heart, anything is possible. Your struggles have made you who you are, and you are much stronger because of them. You have seen things, experienced things, and lived through things that no person should ever go through. I hope that as I grow older, and have a family, I am at least half the woman you are today.

Dad, thank you for all of the sacrifices you have made for this family. The courage you have is out of this world. The strength it takes to leave your family for months on end, for a better life, is a quality that only the strongest and bravest of men are gifted with. Thank you for showing me that no matter how hard life can get, you can always prevail. I know that times haven’t always been easy, and we have made mistakes we may regret, but we all can learn from our past and use these lessons to grow. Thank you for always being honest and truthful with me, and never “sugar coating”, as you like to call it. Your lessons on treating people with respect, and seeing others for what they’re worth has changed my life. Thank you for showing me that working hard for what you want is so much better than being handed everything on a silver platter. Thank you for supporting me and my crazy dreams, no matter how “unrealistic” they may be. Thank you for keeping this family afloat and for being an incredible man of the house. Your dedication to this family never goes unnoticed and your love for mom and I radiates through your heart.

Mom and Dad, I cannot ever fully explain how you have helped mold me into the person that I am now. I am so grateful and thankful to have such loving, motivated, caring, and incredible parents. Thank you for letting me convince you to find homeless dogs, buy 3 ferrets, keep 2 turtles, rescue a kitten, and have a zoo of animals in our house. Thank you for staying up until midnight listening to me sing Adele songs while you cheer me on. Thank you for listening to me rant about bad friends, and giving me advice when I needed it most. Like I said, I can never fully explain what you mean to me, but I hope that this letter can give you a good idea of how lucky I know I am. God blessed me with incredible parents, and every day I strive to be a better person to make you both happy. Please know that I love you so incredibly much, and every day I wake up, I thank God for having another opportunity to have you by my side. Thank you for everything. You will always be my backbone. I love you.