When I was in the sixth grade, like many other sixth graders, I was spoiled, stubborn, and quite childish. I thought the world revolved around me, and everyone had to do what I said. I was very bossy, very sassy, and very frustrating to deal with. My parents and I would disagree and you'd hear me say, "I'm running away, you guys are SO mean!" often coming from my mouth.

When I got to high school, I went through a period of great growth and improvement. I started to notice all the things I was blessed with and all the things I would not change for the world. I realized that even though my parents and I would argue (don't be fooled, we still do), they were only looking out for my absolute best interest. They didn't want me to wait outside the movie theater for my ride to pick me up or walk home from a friends house after dark. At the time these things seemed so minuscule, but now I realize just how big they truly were.

It's the little things such as "text me when you get there" and "make sure you bundle up with many layers" that show just how much they love and care for me. I realized at a young age that I was blessed with parents who care enough to go out of their way for me, to trust that I will make my own smart decisions now that I'm an adult, but are always there to give me just the right advice at just the right time.

I have three other wonderful siblings who are not wanderers like myself. I am the one who wants to do this and that to cross things off of my bucket list. Even though I am the oddball and often the one to create the "OMG" situations, my parents do a great job of understanding and always encourage me to do what I need to do to make myself happy. They encourage my dreams, my goals, and everything in between. They pick me up when I'm down and bring me back to reality when my head is in the clouds.

I could not ask for better parents because as difficult as I am, they always manage to work everything out and make it all okay again. Nothing I ever do could repay them for the advice, the laughs, the cries, and everything that made me who I am today. When I think of home, I think of my parents because home wouldn't be home without the love and support of two people would do absolutely anything for you.