Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being good enough, not living up to your expectations. I'm sorry for not reaching my true potential. For not being an all-A student, a piano prodigy, or a star athlete.

I'm sorry for forgetting to put my dishes in the sink. I'm sorry for not keeping my room super neat. I'm sorry that I yell and fight with my brother, and I'm sorry that when I talk sometimes, I have an attitude.

I'm sorry that I'm on my phone a lot, for texting too much, for not keeping my life private on social media. I'm sorry for getting distracted when I'm focusing on homework, and not studying enough.

I'm sorry that I didn't practice piano enough. I'm sorry that I messed up a couple of times at my recitals because I didn't practice enough.

I'm sorry I don't always eat my fruits and vegetables. I'm sorry I don't spend as much "family time" as you'd like.

I'm sorry for acting spoiled, for always wanting to buy more and not being grateful for the blessings I already have.

I'm really sorry.

But I'm also sorry that you don't think my GPA is high enough. Or that you think I didn't take enough AP classes, or that I slacked off in school this year, so that's why I got my first B in calculus. I'm sorry you think I have misaligned priorities because I want to have a social life sometimes. I'm sorry that no matter how hard I try to please you, it's never really good enough. It's almost never, "I'm so proud of you, you've done so well", it's almost always, "Did you really try? Because you could've done better."

I'm me, and you have to accept that. I've accomplished a lot in my life so far, and more is yet to come. I'm proud of who I am, and I'm looking forward to the person I'm on the path to being. Maybe I won't be a Harvard graduate, or a super-successful surgeon, or something along those lines. But I am and will continue to be a classy, driven, Christian woman who will never let any challenge hinder me on my life journey, and I think that in itself is the greatest accomplishment of all. I do know I have flaws, but those aren't what define me. I have a passion for life, a love for God, and a desire to better the world around me. Those qualities should be acknowledged and put above all of my downfalls.

So I'm sorry Mom and Dad, for not becoming the person you wanted me to be. But the young woman you made and raised is pretty dang great, and I hope I can get a little more credit for that. You are amazing parents and have provided so much for me. I love you and will never be able to thank you enough for that. But I just want to feel like you're proud of me.

With Love,

Your Daughter