Mom and Dad,

As I am getting ready to go off to college, being the emotional mess that I already am, things have been hitting me hard. What will I do without Dad telling me how pretty I look every morning when my hairs sticking up? What will I do without Mom greeting me at the door when I'm done school? It's funny because your parents always tell you when you're little, "You're gonna miss me one day" and you would always roll your eyes and brush it off, but it is true.

What a wonderful life I have been given by my parents. My parents have taught me to love in such a beautiful way. I've grown up in a beautiful home (thanks for the nice decor, Mom!) with beautiful souls. I have been shown how to love the correct way. How to love unconditionally, no matter what the person says or does. I have learned how to know when someone loves you. Love is the biggest piece of one's life by far. Where would we all be without the feeling of love? To be able to love that piece of chocolate cake, or love a nice beach day or love a person. Love is the biggest blessing that we get in a emotional form. I am capable of loving and being loved, because of you guys.

You guys have taught me to go through life without judging. You have shown me that everyone has their downfalls and that it is okay. You have shown me it is okay to be different, therefore, it is okay for others to be different too. You have taught me to embrace people's differences, not point them out. You have taught me that what is different about me is okay. Both of you have kept me on my feet supporting me and all my differences in this world of pressured perfection. You guys have shown me that true beauty is a beauty with flaws.

You have taught me to be forgiving. By being forgiving, you have made me life full of joy and happiness. Being able to truly let things be and grow from them has gotten me so far in my life. Without the gift of forgiving, you are left with underlying grudges in your heart that put a fog over how you see things. You live and you learn and people make mistakes. Learning from situations instead of crumbling from them, that is the lesson you have taught me.

I wouldn't be the girl I am today, going off to college, confident in who I am, if it wasn't for you guys. As a young child, you don't realize how much your parents really mean in your life. By all means, you love them, but you have no clue how much impact they will have on you. Your parents are the biggest factor to who you are and why you are the way you are. There will never be enough "thank you"'s or "I love you"'s to go around for you guys for making me who I am. I am proud of the young lady I have grown into; I am proud of the young lady you guys have made me. I appreciate everything that you guys have taught me and given me.

Thank you for being you.

Love,

Me