Dear Fam,

To say that I love you would be the understatement of the century. Thank you for loving me, guiding me and sometimes pushing me down, to only help me back up. I never thought I would be writing a love letter to you, and I kind of thought I would be writing to a significant other, but I guess you guys work for now.

I realized how much you meant to me as a single tear rolled down my cheek as I pulled out of our driveway leaving to go back to school. I actually really like these people, don’t I?

It hit me out of nowhere just how special you make me feel. I have taken advantage of how loved I am by you, and at times it is overwhelming. How did I get lucky enough to wake up each day knowing that no matter what I do, no matter how big I mess up, no matter how badly I hurt you, you will always be by my side?

From the small things to the colossal, you are there for me. Thank you for dressing me, dancing with me, traveling with me and praying with me. No one in the world loves me as much as you, and words will never be enough to express how that feels.

Thank you for shutting your mouths when I fail and telling me to shut mine when I’ve gone too far. I know how hard it was for you to sit back and watched me do and be so many things, but thank you for constantly encouraging me to figure out who I am on my own.

I know I let you down and I know I could always treat you better, but thank you for loving me regardless. No person will ever know and love me like you do, and for that I am thankful. You have shaped me, and you continue to help me see what is most important in my life.

I don’t think I would be able to believe and feel the love of God if I had not been so loved by you. It is easy for me to feel the sacrificial love of God because you have sacrificed so much for me. When I question the Lord and ask why He does what He does, He reminds me that I have been blessed beyond any of my actions by giving me each of you.

Our strengths, personalities, characters and spirits are all different, but we make one heck of a team.

I wouldn’t want to go through the highs and lows in life with anyone else by my side. Thank you for having my back and encouraging me to look beyond myself.

Xoxo,

Your Grateful Daughter & Sister