亲爱的妈妈和爸爸

Dear mom and dad,

I'm 18 years old and I'm off to college now! Remember that I'm always one message, call, and one trip away. It's crazy how time flies by in a blink of an eye. Dad, seems like yesterday we were playing Rock Paper Scissors and you'd pretend to tickle me when I lost to you since I'd already be laughing before you even got to me. Mom, I remember those nights you'd come home so late from work, I'd stay up just to eat a fourth meal with you. It seems like life has pushed a fast-forward button on us. As I grew up, I spent less time in the house with you and more time outside with my friends or participating in extracurriculars. Only in my senior year have I realized how I wish I stayed home more often with you guys or went out more often to see a movie and eat delicious food with you.

From my first dance practices to temporary art classes, from flipping through gymnastics to falling on ice skates, and from listening to repetitive piano practices to my squeaky violin, thank you for spending so much money and energy sending me from pool to pool and city to city every day so I could swim my heart away and do what I love most. From the 5 a.m practices to the 12 a.m. drive home from speech and debate competitions, thank you for sacrificing so much time helping me develop into such a well-rounded individual.

I may be 5'3", but my heart and my arms are definitely bigger than anyone else's. Because of your unconditional love for me and my older brother, and your kindness and acceptance of all our surroundings, I have proudly adapted those amazing traits from you. My leadership abilities and my charm have all been passed down to me like a gene in our family pool. The hard work and dedication I have has been modeled off of parents who never stop working to do their best not only for themselves, but for Ben and I. My character has been shaped by your guidance, discipline, and an immense amount of love. I am most proud of who I am today because I have been shaped by my amazing role models, and the best of friends who are also known as you, my parents.

There were many days where I have cried and talked back. There were many days where we'd get into arguments and I would give an attitude. However, there were many more days where I have learned the utmost importance of respect and learning, I've done so much more growing to understand that everything you two do is for my happiness and best for me. I apologize for all of the times I've been so ungrateful and disrespectful towards you. Now that I'm older, I'm able to see the exhaustion through the smiling face of yours when you ask if I'd want to go out and watch a movie or ask about my well-being. Despite working long days and having personal problems, you have always placed me as your priority.

To my loving parents, I could never repay you for all that you have sacrificed. Even if I had given the entire universe for you, I still don't think it would be sufficient to the life you have given me. My gift of life from you guys isn't the only thing I am grateful for, it is the fact that I'm YOUR little girl that I'm most grateful for.

When I'm off to college, please put your hearts at ease. My main focus will be my health, education, and to further discover who I am and what I'm set out to do. I will take care of myself, I'll try to sleep at reasonable hours, and I will protect myself. Most importantly, I will work even harder so that in the future I may provide more for you.

One letter will never be enough to say how thankful I am for you and how much I love you.

No matter how far we are and no matter how old I grow, I will always be your beloved daughter.

With all the love,

小宝宝

Your little baby