Everyone has adults, mentors or at least someone that was there for them during some of the hardest times of their lives. Whether those people were a family member, a family friend, a teacher or someone you just met, this person (or people) allowed you to feel safe when everything else didn't seem that way. For me, these people were some of my high school teachers.

In November of my senior year of high school, my father passed away. Probably one of the most tragic things a teen could go through, I felt as if I had no one to turn to. I honestly didn’t even talk about it, or cry about it, for the first month and a half or two months. I was numb. But eventually, when I did cry, it was usually to my teachers after school or on an off period. This in turn allowed our relationship to grow, and I don’t know if they realize how much their support meant to me. So here are just a few things that have been left unsaid the last three years.

First and foremost thank you.

Thank you for listening, for talking, for the hugs, the support, the tears and all the emotions you shared and went through with me. At 17 years old, when I was worrying about applying to college, and whether or not I wanted to go to class on any given day, life threw me a curveball, and you were there. You allowed me to open up to you about was happening in ways that I didn’t to my own mother. You truly have seen me in my most vulnerable position in life. And not once did you shut me down, turn me away, or say you didn’t have time for me, and for that I thank you.

I compare everyone to you.

I’ve now been out of high school for three years, and to this day every single professor or instructor I have come into contact with has been compared to you. And if I’m being honest, not a single person comes close. I have yet to find a teacher that I’ve truly connected with the way I had with you. It may not be fair that I compare them to you, but when someone has been so great, its just second nature.

You have and continue to impact my life.

I always say I would go back to high school in a heartbeat, and that is mostly because of you. You added to my experience that for many is generally not good. However, because of you and much more, high school was enjoyable. Besides all the outlines and assignments we had to do. I think back all the time to our conversations, laughs, jokes, but more importantly your advice.

I value the relationship we still have

I know we may not talk everyday, and that I’m 20 hours away at school and can't just pop in to say hi, but that hasn’t changed how I value the relationship we have. I always know that if I ever needed anything you are only an email or Facebook message away. I also know you’re not only there for the bad but for also the good. I always want to share my best moments in my education and life with you.

And lastly, I hope one day I will be just like you

If you couldn’t tell by now, you have left an imprint on my heart and life. You are never given as much credit as you deserve. I wish everyone in the world got to meet you or at least let me tell him or her about you. You are an amazing person. I hope that one day I will be just like you. I want to leave an imprint on someone like you have on me.

There are not enough words in the English dictionary to portray my gratitude, and love that I have for you. But thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing me to find a safe place when the rest of the world seemed to be crashing down around me. I will truly never be able to repay you; for all that you gave me.