I think one thing that as always annoyed us at one point or another is when we get treated like children. Sometimes we just want our parents to understand that we are growing and have to "adult" at some point. It means a lot of things both exciting and scary for everyone involved. There's moving out of the nest, applying for credit cards, looking for adult jobs, and refusing to call your parents with questions because you can do this.

Mom,

I know that no matter how old I get you will always view my as your little girl and often talk to me like I'm still an adolescent. I get it, you birthed me and raised me, how could I want to leave you after all that? But I am my own person. I want to be independent and do more on my own, I mean you had to, now it's my turn. I will still need your help with some things and have to call with all my questions when I'm doing taxes on my own or whatever else comes along that I didn't learn in school.

I'm 20 now and that number is only going to keep going up, you have to let me spread my wings and do the things I am taking steps towards. I know you don't want me to get an apartment and stack on more responsibility than needed, because I am still young, but I need to at some point. I can still go on adventures and have fun while taking on whatever responsibilities I put on myself.

I will admit when and if you were right but I will do it with pride, because who really wants to admit that they should have listened to mom? I will make crock-pot dinners with pride knowing that I can do this and when I need help I can eventually call you, but only after I accept defeat.

Dad,

Thank you for being the calmer reasoning when mom wasn't having anything to do with any of my ideas. Thank you for driving with me when mom couldn't handle my driving at first. Thank you for showing me how to do some things myself so I don't have to play the damsel card, showing me what kind of guy I need in my life, and giving me silly rules that I rolled my eyes at but tucked away anyway.

I may not be your blood-daughter but you helped mom, and me with a lot, including communicating both sides when we refuse to see eye-to-eye. I appreciate the long talks and lessons that I dreaded sitting through but still listened to every word. You helped in many ways just by telling me that I will always be your daughter.

I can turn around and ask you for or about something when I know what Mom's answer will be. I will also accept defeat and admit when I may have been wrong for not listening to both of you, but only after I've struggled. I know that it may be hard for both of you, and I'm the first of the kids trying to fly on my own, but I've got this. And thanks to you two.

I'll admit there are a lot of things that I want to do, maybe a bit early, but I'm trying to do them because I have faith in myself and my abilities and I need you two, too.