College has really allowed me to grow into who I am rather than who I think I should be. I have learned so much about the people in our society.

My experiences have shaped me into the person I am.

Looking back, I imagined my life would be a lot different. I’ve been let down countless times. I’ve been disappointed, set back, and hurt perpetually. My overall view of humanity drastically shifted. I guess my wide-eyed, naïve view of people was bound to change.

I saw how selfish, cutthroat, threatened, jealous, and how outright disrespectful people could be. I saw carelessness, anger, spite, and heartbreak ruin people. I've experienced that most people don’t really care about other people. Strangers are nobodies. They mean nothing, they’re worthless, they’re irrelevant. My heart aches knowing that some have this mindset.

But, I’ve also seen something greater. I’ve seen how beautifully selfless people can be. How kind-hearted and compassionate someone can be. The eagerness and excitement someone can embody. The respect and appreciation one can exude.

I have seen how people love others with intention and eagerness. How people truly care. I’ve seen how people go out of their way to brighten someone’s day. I’ve seen a beauty in life that I believe is a blessing from Jesus himself. For me.

He gave me you. Whatever role you had in my life: parent, sibling, grandparent, boyfriend, friend, supervisor, prayer warrior, supporter, encourager. Whatever it is that you have been to me, thank you. Thanks for being you.

You have helped me experience a love that is overwhelming and consuming. A captivating relationship that makes me want to be a better person. An encouraging word to inspire kindness on others. For a love so special no one else could truly comprehend. Thank you for helping me, inspiring me, and loving me.

Your role in my life has truly been a blessing. Your support means more than you could ever know. Your kindness and grace, modeled as Jesus, inspires me to praise our great Lord even more.

Thank you for letting me cry, for letting me vent, for understanding how analytical I am. Thank you for making me feel better, for making me feel beautiful, for making me feel confident in my own skin. Thank you for challenging me, for respecting my beliefs, for pursuing my heart and chasing me.

Thank you for your kindness and support. Thank you for teaching me how to love others, for teaching me how to love like Jesus. For showing me what it means to be selfless and kind and compassionate.

Thank you for challenging my perspective, for being a resource when I need it, for defending me. Thank you for letting me love you, overwhelm you, and frustrate you. Thank you for protecting my heart and my emotions.You are so incredible.

Mom, you have perfectly exemplified how to be a strong, independent, God- fearing woman. You are the strongest, most selfless person I know. You love and forgive and encourage me even when I’m undeserving. You have set the standard for motherhood high, and one day I hope to be half the mother to my kids that you are to us. You have shown me my worth, to never settle, and to love others with a passion that shouldn’t be restricted.

Dad, you have shown me the kind of man I deserve. A man who opens my car door, who calls me ‘sweetheart’ and ‘doll’. Someone who is rational, logical, and understanding. Someone who loves me unconditionally. You care for me and protect me, you look after my heart and help to guide me in my future. You too have set the bar pretty high. You have shown me my worth, to never settle, and to love others with a passion that shouldn’t be restricted.

Everyone in between, siblings, grandparents, friends, boyfriends, supporters, you have shown me how to love, how to have fun, how to not take life too seriously. You have given me support and love. You have shown me passion, perseverance, and hard work. You have taught me to never give up on people, and to never give up on myself. You have challenged my thinking, my personality, and my patience. Thank you for reaching out when I’ve had a tough week.

Thank you for letting me cry on your shoulder. Thank you for letting me pout. Thank you for dancing in the pity parties with me. Thank you for bringing over the wine and ice cream on those hard evenings. Thank you for letting me cuddle you, even though I have knobby knees. I have grown into who I am because of whatever hand YOU had in my life. You have shown me my worth, to never settle, and to love others with a passion that shouldn’t be restricted.

Relationships are important to me. They matter. The way you treat me, matters. The way you love me, matters. The way you inspire me, matters. You matter. Thank you. You’re incredible and by the grace of God, I was blessed with your presence in my life. I was selected to be someone who calls you ‘mine’. My friend, my family, my supporter. Thank you for allowing me to have a role in your life.

You’re special and valued and appreciated by me. The people who have loved me have made me a better person. So, thank you for your role in that. You're someone I wouldn’t trade for anything. I pinky promise.

You deserve the world because you have single-handedly changed me, for the better. I have learned not to close myself off to opportunities or people who can truly impact me, inspire me and challenge me to be better. I believe we should leave everyone with kindness, with hugs & kisses, with a better view of the world. These days I'm an opportunist, embody kindness, show forgiveness, and love others like it's my only opportunity to do so.

I believe you need no excuse to be kind, you need no reason, you need no cause. I've been blessed enough to experience life with you people who epitomize beauty in your affection, devotion, and admiration of life. You let me experience some of the best memories I've created because of your selfless love that I was so undeserving to be gifted.