My parents have been with me through it all. In elementary school, they drove me to all my basketball practices and were there for all my games despite the fact that I didn't play that often. In high school, they both helped me through my anxiety and were full of positive reassurance when I needed it. Now, in college, they are my number one supporters.

Every day I think about how fortunate I have been because of my parents. My life has honestly been great and it's all because of them. They have always been supportive and willing to help me with anything.

I wouldn't have made it through my freshman year of high school without both my mom and my dad. The anxiety I had developed was overwhelming. I was constantly consumed by worry. The major stressors in my life were tests and getting good grades.

When my parents saw this, they lent me a helping hand by studying with me. If it wasn't for this gesture, I don't know if I would've ever gotten over my nerves, graduated with a high GPA, or got into my first choice college.

I'm incredibly grateful for both of my parents. Together, they have provided me with the best childhood a kid could ask for. Some of my fondest memories are watching "Spongebob Squarepants" with my dad, going to the library with my mom, and traveling to Dewey Beach for our annual family beach trip.

Throughout my adolescence, both my mom and dad have played key roles in my life. Even though they work as a team, my mom and dad have separate and distinct ways in which they have been significant figures to who I am today.

My mom has had a huge influence on me. If it wasn't for my mom, I don't think I would have such a positive outlook on life. Her constant smile and laugh have truly calmed me down in stressful situations. Throughout difficult times, she has always found the positives in these seemingly negative circumstances.

Along with helping me destress and become happier in life, my mom has influenced what I want to do in the future. With daily trips to the library when I was younger, she got me interested in reading. From that point on, I became obsessed with books and writing.

Now, I'm attending college as an English major who hopes to work in publishing and become an author.

Half of the credit for where I am today also has to go to my dad. For as long as I can remember, my dad has consistently encouraged me to be more confident in myself and my capabilities. When I was hired at my current job, I was nervous because I had to memorize a script and talk in front of a group of around eighty people. Luckily, my dad expressed his faith in me and assured me that I would be great because I absolutely love this job.

My dad has also played a huge role in my academic success because of his helpful advice. With his various tips and tricks, he has instilled in me the importance of a good work ethic. In addition to supporting me in school, he is a major part of my future writing career.

When I send him a piece I'm working on, I know I can trust him to be completely honest with me and help me improve in my craft.

Even as a college student away from home, my mom and dad continue to be daily sources for motivation. I'm striving to make them proud in all that I do. I want to achieve success and happiness in order to show them that they did a remarkable job raising me. I have a lot of role models in life who inspire me in various ways. A majority of these people are well-known writers or hardworking artists/musicians; however, none of them will ever hold the first two positions of my list. My mom and dad will always be in the lead at the top.

My mom and dad have taught me valuable lessons and shown me what's important in life. They are enormous inspirations to me, and I'm so lucky to have had them by my side during childhood, high school, and now in college.

So thank you, mom and dad, for giving me everything a person could ask for in amazing parents. I love you both so much.