Dear Family,

I have just finished my second year of college. Every day, I understand more and more how important family really is. Although I already knew this, I never realized just how important family was until I began college. Without you, I wouldn’t have the insane willpower to accomplish this great adventure. I look around at all of you and think just how lucky I am to have you. So, here’s to you-- you all are extremely special

Dear Mom,

Thank you. I don’t know how else to summarize a potential ten page essay about how much I love you in one paragraph. I can’t begin to thank you enough for being the best mom in the world. I have never met a woman stronger than you. Being a mom is exactly what I want you to be. You have taught me so many valuable lessons, such as how to be a strong woman and how to make good decisions, among millions of other things. I get my stubbornness, humor, money skills, good behavior, and determination from you. It’s hard to describe what you mean to me when you mean the world.

Dear Dad,

According to Grandma’s sister, “We look the same from the forehead up.” I will never understand how that is even possible, but it is one of the jokes we can keep together. No matter how many times you get on me for an A-, I will understand that you are just pushing me to do the best I can. Just remember that I will always beat you in golf, so get used to it.

Dear Nick,

We could never decide if we loved or hated each other, but today, I wouldn’t be myself without you. You made me competitive, you made me mad, you made me laugh, and you made me see a different side of things. Even though we are eight years apart, we still understand each other like no one would believe. Thank you for being a pain in my butt for twenty years.

Dear Grandparents,

I don’t know where to start. Some of you are still on this earth, while some of you are watching over me. But I will never forget any of you. I learned valuable lessons while spending hundreds of hours with you in the summer. I would never replace all of those summers. I can’t begin to tell you how great it is to be a grandchild to all of you. The true heads of our family, I couldn’t be more honored.

Dear Uncles,

Some of you I’ve known for my whole life, while some a couple years. It’s hard to tell you what you mean to me, when everyone means something a little different. Just know that I look up to you and aspire to be as creative, patriotic, and strong as you. Thank you for giving me sports and treating me like I was as tough as the boys; it made me a better athlete and person.

Dear Aunts,

Again, time doesn’t matter when you are surrounded by the ones who love you. I can’t tell you how many times we hung out and did nothing but talk or watched "Scooby-Doo". These moments, even small ones, mean a lot to me. Thank you for being good influences, watching over me, and treating me like I deserve the world.

Dear Cousins,

I just want you to know that all my decisions are based solely on the fact that I am here to be a good influence on you. I have the power to continuously be a good role model for each and every one of you, and I will give that everything I have. I want you to grow up knowing that I will always be there for you.

Dear Friends That I Consider Family,

I have known you guys for a long time, if not almost my entire life. I value your friendships more than you could ever know. Thank you for always being a shoulder to cry on, the one I would call if I needed anything, and the people I confide in. Thank you for being the ones that are going to stand up with me when I get married someday, the ones who I become a bridesmaid for your wedding, and the ones who I will grow old together with.

All in all, I love each and every one of you. You make it easy to go to college. Thank you for being there for me whenever I need it. Even though, I am the one that doesn’t look like anyone and may not fit in just right, I still feel accepted and loved by all of you.

I love you,

Your daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and cousin.