Mom and Dad,

I just wanted to thank you for everything. You have done so much for me and you are truly an inspiration for the person I hope to become. The memories and laughter that we have shared throughout our lives will be with me forever and for that I cannot thank you enough.

You have taught me how to always budget time and money while never budgeting kindness and willingness to serve others. You have paved the way for me to become a great individual and friend. Sometimes I feel like you were preparing me so that when I stepped out into the real world I would always remember that no matter what happens I would hold true to my values and rely on family and friends to get me through rough times. The importance of relationships and how I treat others has always been at the center of what you have taught me.

From the time I was a baby who would cry about everything to the time I first went to school you would always be there to comfort me and make sure that I was okay. When I started school, you made sure that I got what I needed which may not have necessarily been what I wanted. This one was a hard lesson to learn but I am so glad that you never gave up on teaching it. When I started high school you told me to go for what I wanted and to make something of myself. What you didn't tell me was how much hard work and dedication that I would have to have to achieve my goals. This was a good thing though because it taught me to never give up on anything and that anything worth doing would never be easy.

Looking at myself now, what do I see? I see the person that you have shaped me into. I see the person that has grown so much throughout my life. As I look at you guys I see you as friends. You are always just a phone call away when I need you and if I ever need someone to talk to I know that you will always be willing to listen. Nights where we go out to the Burger Stand after I have been working a football game all day are the nights that I will remember forever. Sure I have other friends (or so I would like to think), but nobody as close as you two are to me.

So thank you. Thank you for everything you have done to show me how to be the best person I can be. Nothing can ever come close to how much I appreciate you always being there for me.

With love,

Your Ever Growing Child